The platforms are also battling this out in the courts, as Apple and Google are doing now with Fortnite maker Epic Games, whose antitrust case with Apple is now under appeal. The changes come at a time when lawmakers and regulators alike have been putting pressure on the app store providers, Apple and Google, in the wake of anti-competitive complaints. It’s clear from the heavy-handed way it’s implementing this support - and the rules around its use - that the company views this change as a slippery slope that could ultimately lead to App Store revenue loss. It’s worth pointing out that these changes have only come about due to governmental regulations and not because Apple believes this is the right thing to do for its App Store. It can only say something very simple like: “go to to create or manage your account.” There are several other more technical requirements, as well. The developer’s web page also can’t advertise the pricing offered outside the App Store. It’s an either/or situation.Īpple’s instructions detail how the links should work, too, including how they must open up in a new browser window and not a web view, for instance, and how the links should appear. Notably, Apple says apps that choose to use the External Link Account Entitlement cannot offer in-app purchases on either iPhone or iPad devices.

For instance, a social networking app ( ahem, Facebook) where users can also stream videos would not be eligible.Īpple also says that, in order to be eligible, the apps must allow the users to access content or services they had previously purchased outside the app they must allow people to sign in to their account and they cannot facilitate real-time, person-to-person services - like live tutoring, fitness instruction, real estate tours or medical consultations. Here, Apple explains that not all apps that offer access to digital content will be approved - the access to digital content has to be the app’s “primary functionality,” Apple states. The company also published usage guidelines and implementation details for developers who are approved to use the external link option. This way, Apple can very carefully vet the apps being allowed to add the links instead of leaving it up to its App Review team. That is, instead of just changing the App Store rules so this type of behavior is broadly permitted for apps in the supported category, the entitlement process requires developers to ask and then receive approval for this special use case. An entitlement is something Apple uses when it wants to still have control over the situation in terms of which developers can implement a certain feature. Specifically, Apple instructs developers to apply for something it calls the External Link Account Entitlement in order to provide this functionality in their own apps.

Today, Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines have been updated with a new reference that explains how Reader apps can implement this feature. Apple announces new settlement with Japan allowing developers to link to external websites

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