Apple Unveils Advanced Commerce API to Expand In-App Purchase Options

The new API aims to support diverse business models, including large content catalogs, creator-driven subscriptions, and add-on purchases, without altering Apple's commission structure.

• Apple's Advanced Commerce API introduces new tools for managing in-app purchases, catering to apps with extensive content libraries, creator-led experiences, and subscription add-ons.
• The API allows developers to leverage Apple's payment infrastructure, including payment processing, tax compliance, and customer service integration.
• Eligibility criteria for using the API are detailed in a developer support document, though some links to additional information were initially non-functional.
• The API is seen as a response to challenges faced by apps with unconventional monetization models, such as Patreon, which had to adopt Apple's billing system for in-app purchases in 2022.
• This move follows regulatory scrutiny, particularly in the European Union, and Apple's efforts to retain developers within its ecosystem by offering more flexible tools.

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