According to Wccftech, Apple has finally cracked WeChat’s mini app ecosystem after a year of negotiations, securing a 15% commission on transactions that previously bypassed Apple’s payment system entirely. Most Chinese Apple users rely on WeChat’s mini apps rather than downloading from the App Store, creating a massive revenue stream that Apple couldn’t previously tap. The deal requires participating developers to adopt Apple’s software requirements, including features for parental controls. While the 15% rate is half Apple’s typical commission, the company stands to gain billions given WeChat’s ecosystem size. This comes as Apple also restructures its EU fee system, with a new 5% Core Technology Fee starting January 1, 2025 that could bring combined fees to 20% for developers using external payment options.
The China Play
This is huge for Apple in China. Basically, they’ve been watching this massive revenue stream flow right past them for years. WeChat isn’t just an app in China—it’s the internet. People do everything through it, from ordering food to booking travel to paying bills. And until now, developers could redirect users to external payment options, meaning Apple got nothing. Zero. Zilch.
So getting even 15% is a major win. Think about the scale here—we’re talking about hundreds of millions of users conducting billions of transactions. Even at half their usual rate, this could easily become one of Apple’s most lucrative arrangements globally. The timing is interesting too, coming as Apple faces increasing regulatory pressure elsewhere.
The EU Fee Shuffle
Meanwhile, over in Europe, Apple’s doing this complicated dance with regulators. They’re moving from that flat Core Technology Fee of €0.50 per first annual install to a percentage-based system next year. The math gets messy—developers using external payments could end up paying around 20% in combined fees instead of Apple’s standard 30%.
But here’s the thing: Apple’s making these concessions in markets where they’re forced to, while cutting what looks like a sweetheart deal in China where they have more leverage. It’s fascinating to watch how they’re playing this differently across regions. The EU changes feel like regulatory compliance, while the WeChat deal feels like pure business opportunity.
Developer Dilemma
What does this mean for developers? Well, they’re caught between platforms again. In China, they’ll now have to factor Apple’s cut into their WeChat mini app business models. And in Europe, they’ll need to do the math on whether Apple’s new fee structure actually saves them money or just creates more complexity.
I mean, think about it—Apple’s essentially saying “we’ll take less, but we’re still taking something from transactions we weren’t getting anything from before.” Smart business move? Absolutely. But developers are probably wondering when the fee changes will stop. The constant recalculation must be exhausting for smaller teams.
The Big Picture
Look, this WeChat deal shows Apple’s adapting to local realities. They couldn’t beat WeChat’s dominance in China, so they’re joining it—on their terms. And the timing alongside EU changes suggests Apple’s getting more sophisticated about revenue extraction across different regulatory environments.
What’s next? Will we see similar deals with other super-apps? And how will this affect Apple’s relationships with developers who now face different fee structures depending on region and platform? One thing’s clear—Apple’s not about to leave money on the table, even in ecosystems they don’t control. They’ll find a way to get their cut, one way or another.
