Apple will let apps redirect sign-ups to external websites

Apple and Google face intense supervision and even lawsuits for handling their respective application stores. Recently, a new law in South Korea will force the two giants to open their stores to other payment systems. Potential to face the same losses in Japan, Apple has now announced that it will update the App Store policy that will allow developers to provide a link in the application to register and manage accounts outside the application, but only for certain application classes.

Traditionally, Apple’s troop developers and users to do everything in the application itself, from registering to manage your account to buy content. While many services do have their own account management system on their website, they are not allowed to link to them if they want their application to be accepted into the App Store. This, of course, works in the favors of Apple because practically means that Apple will always get 30% discount, especially for subscriptions such as Netflix which requires upfront payments.

To appease the Japan Fair trade commission, Apple announces changes that will apply globally for all application developers. Starting early 2022, Apple will allow certain applications to have links in applications to external websites where they can register and manage their accounts.

Small catch with this beneficial change is that it only applies to the application “Reader”, that is, application that allows users to access newspapers, books, music, or video. The list is not included in the game, which is probably one of the most profitable application classes on mobile today. The reason is that this application does not offer in-app purchases, so Apple is more willing to release it. Another smaller catch is that the developer can only place a single link in the application to avoid spamming users with clear redirects to the service website.

This announcement came on the heel of changes in the other application store policy announced last week. Apple will allow developers to notify users that they have an alternative payment option outside the App Store, provided they only advertise that fact via email. This is just the latest concession that Apple seems to be willing to avoid a large penalty and a greater change if you lose the lawsuits that are ongoing law throughout the world.