Apple will allow "reader" apps to provide external links next year, which has been questioned by many developers

Yesterday, Apple officially announced that starting in 2022, Apple will allow developers of "reader" apps around the world to provide links to external websites for users to set up or manage accounts. "Reader" apps allow users to access previously purchased content or subscription-based digital magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music and video content, such as Netflix, Spotify and Amazon Kindle apps.

But after the announcement was released, some developers raised their own questions.

First, some have criticized Apple's plan to only allow developers to share their websites through a "single link." According to Adrian Weckler of The Irish Independent, Apple is still considering what type of wording developers should use for these links, but some developers are skeptical that Apple will allow customers to save money by registering outside of the app.

"Based on Apple's press release we can make the bold assumption that no further changes to their onboarding practices will be mandated in the remaining months of this year," developer Troughton Smith wrote in a tweet. "Restricting to the "Reader" app, and a single in-app link, is not enough."

Developer John Siracusa wrote in a tweet: "Sure, your 'Reader' app can include an approved website link...but can developers provide some text description around the link to explain and guide users to click? This is what we thought when we saw the new App Store rules in 2021."

Paul Haddad, co-creator of Tweetbot, said he was disappointed that small developers "now have to subsidize all these big publishers," given that Apple's in-app linking permissions will be limited to "reader" apps, many of which are owned by large companies.

"Yeah I'm distressed, our App Store commission is supposed to help pay for iOS/SDK development and App Store hosting+review. Now having to subsidize all these big publishers feels like kicking the ball. Bad enough doing this for multi-billion dollar ad-supported apps," he tweeted.

Other developers and critics said Apple was doing the "bare minimum" to address long-standing antitrust concerns about the App Store, which center on Apple's 15% to 30% commission on in-app purchases of digital goods and the inability of developers to offer their own payment methods through the App Store.

Attached is Apple’s official announcement:

Apple today announced an upcoming update to the App Store that concludes an investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) into the App Store. The update will allow developers of “reader” apps to provide links to their websites within the app so that users can set up or manage an account. This is an agreement between Apple and the JFTC, but Apple will roll out this change to all reader apps in the App Store globally. Reader apps offer prepaid content or content subscriptions for digital magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, and video.

To ensure a safe and seamless user experience, the App Store guidelines require developers to use Apple's in-app payment system to sell digital services and subscriptions. Because the developers of the Reader App do not offer in-app digital products or services for sale, Apple and the JFTC reached an agreement to allow the developers of these apps to share a single link to their website with users to help users set up and manage their accounts.

This change will take effect in early 2022. Before then, Apple will update its guidelines and review processes to ensure that users of reader apps can continue to have a safe experience on the App Store. In-app purchases made through the App Store transaction system will continue to provide users with a highly secure and trusted payment method. At the same time, Apple will also help developers of reader apps protect them when they direct users to external websites for purchases.

“Trust in the App Store means everything to us, and the App Store works tirelessly to create a safe and secure experience for users while helping them discover and use great apps on their favorite devices,” said Phil Schiller, Apple Fellow who leads App Store efforts. “We have great respect for the Japan Fair Trade Commission and appreciate our joint collaboration, which will enable the developer of the Reader app to make it easier for users to set up and manage their apps and services, while protecting their privacy and continuing to earn their trust.”

The update follows a series of changes to the App Store announced last week that will give developers more resources to reach customers, customize price points, and grow their businesses in more flexible ways. Last week, Apple also launched the News Partner Program to support local journalism and provide support for news organizations on the App Store.

With the updates announced today, the App Store will continue to evolve to provide an even better platform for users and developers. Apple has provided more than 30 million registered developers with tools, resources and support to help them create and deliver software to more than 1 billion customers on Apple platforms around the world.