程序员的那些事·2025-11-14 04:43Core Viewpoint - Tencent and Apple have reached an agreement where Apple will handle payments and take a 15% cut from in-app purchases in WeChat mini-games and mini-programs, marking a compromise after a prolonged negotiation period [3][4][8]. Group 1: Background of the Agreement - The dispute originated from the "Apple Tax," where Apple traditionally charged a 30% commission on in-app purchases, with a reduced rate of 15% for developers earning less than $1 million annually [10]. - WeChat mini-games previously avoided Apple's payment system, leading to a significant market that Apple could not tap into, estimated to be worth billions [10]. - In August 2024, Apple intensified its pressure on Tencent and ByteDance to close payment loopholes, threatening to block WeChat updates, which escalated negotiations [10]. Group 2: Terms of the Agreement - The final agreement established a 15% commission rate, which is lower than Apple's standard rate and aligns with the reduced rate for small developers, representing a compromise between both companies [10][12]. - This agreement reflects a shift in the app store commission landscape, with expectations of future adjustments in commission rates due to regulatory and commercial pressures [10]. Group 3: Implications of the Agreement - For Apple, the partnership allows access to WeChat's 1.414 billion monthly active users, providing a stable revenue stream while aligning with global trends of lowering commission rates [12]. - Tencent benefits from a lower cost structure than anticipated, resolving conflicts with Apple and promoting a more regulated payment ecosystem for mini-games, which contributed 32.3 billion yuan to Tencent's social network revenue in Q3 2025 [12]. - Developers have mixed reactions; while 15% is more acceptable than 30%, the additional costs may still impact profit margins, leading some to consider raising game prices or altering monetization strategies [12][13]. - This agreement may set a new standard for revenue sharing in mini-programs, potentially influencing similar arrangements on platforms like Alipay and Douyin [13].