Maya Robertson
Apple has introduced a new Mini Apps Partner Program that lowers App Store commissions for qualifying mini apps, formalizing a shift in how the company handles these lightweight, web-based experiences. The move follows years of growing use of mini apps inside large platforms, particularly in China, and arrives as Apple faces increasing regulatory and political pressure around age verification standards.
Under the updated structure, developers offering mini apps inside a host app can qualify for a reduced 15% commission on in-app purchases, down from the App Store’s standard rate of up to 30%. To receive the reduced fee, developers must adopt specific Apple technologies, including the Declared Age Range API and the Advanced Commerce API, which Apple says are intended to support consistent age-related experiences and transactions across apps.
Mini apps — typically lightweight games or embedded services built with HTML5 or JavaScript — are especially prevalent in platforms such as Tencent’s WeChat and Alipay. While the ecosystem is most established in China, U.S. developers have begun adopting similar models, including OpenAI, which plans to bring mini apps to the ChatGPT app.
Earlier reports suggested that Apple and Tencent reached a separate agreement on reduced commissions for mini app transactions. Apple’s announcement confirms that Tencent will participate under the same Mini Apps Partner Program available to all developers, rather than through a standalone arrangement. Developers must apply to join the program; eligibility is not automatic.
Apple’s updated terms clarify what qualifies as mini-app-related in-app purchases. Examples include single-app consumables (such as digital items or currency) and subscriptions accessed exclusively within a single mini app. Purchases cannot be shared across multiple mini apps within the same host application.
The new program arrives as Apple continues to push back against proposed state-level legislation requiring age verification on digital platforms. Several U.S. states, as well as companies such as Meta, argue that app marketplaces should handle age verification. Apple has countered that such laws could require it to collect and store sensitive data from adult users, raising privacy concerns.
Apple instead promotes its age-range declaration system — now a requirement for the reduced mini app commission — as an alternative that allows developers to support age-appropriate content without collecting users’ full identities. The company has argued that its system minimizes data exposure while still enabling compliance with age-related standards.
Apple has supported mini app-style experiences since 2017, but the new program marks the first time the company has tied financial incentives to the adoption of specific App Store APIs. Apple says the initiative is meant to broaden the availability of mini apps while maintaining consistent rules for safety and commerce.
Developers interested in joining the Mini Apps Partner Program can apply through Apple’s developer portal, where the company has published full eligibility criteria and technical requirements.
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