Apple Updates App Store Rules to Allow External Purchase Links in US

Apple has updated its App Review Guidelines to comply with a U.S. court order, modifying rules for external links, buttons, and calls to action in apps on the U.S. App Store storefront. Announced May 1st, the changes specifically affect Guidelines 3.1.1, 3.1.1(a), 3.1.3, and 3.1.3(a) for apps distributed in the United States.

What this really changes is how apps on the US store can point users toward ways to pay outside of Apple's own In-App Purchase system. Up until now, strict rules generally blocked this everywhere, unless a developer got specific permission through one of Apple's special programs, called entitlements.

Under the revised Guideline 3.1.1, the section dealing with Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) now includes an exception for the US. While apps globally still cannot include buttons or links to external purchasing mechanisms when allowing users to browse NFT collections owned by others, this restriction no longer applies to apps on the United States storefront.


Apple also updated Guideline 3.1.1(a), the section covering specific permissions like the StoreKit External Purchase Link or Music Streaming Services Entitlements. Now, developers whose apps are on the US App Store don't need these special entitlements just to include buttons, links, or other prompts directing users to external websites for purchases. It's important to note, though, that this freedom applies specifically to the US storefront; apps elsewhere generally still face the old restrictions on linking out unless they have an appropriate entitlement.

Guideline 3.1.3 covers apps permitted to use purchase methods other than in-app purchase. The update adds an exception for the US storefront to the rule preventing these apps from encouraging users within the app to use alternative purchasing methods. Apps on the US storefront are now permitted to do so. Developers globally remain able to communicate about other purchasing methods outside their apps.

Similarly, Guideline 3.1.3(a) concerning "Reader" apps (for content like magazines, books, music, video) clarifies that the External Link Account Entitlement – allowing an informational link to manage an account – is also not required for developers to include buttons, external links, or calls to action within their reader apps on the United States storefront.

These adjustments focus specifically on compliance within the US market, relaxing previous restrictions on directing users to external purchasing options for developers distributing apps via the US App Store.


Notably, Apple Music rival Spotify says it has already submitted an updated app to the App Store for review that takes advantage of these lifted restrictions.

You can learn more about the court ruling and how it affects developers here:
● Court Bans Apple From Taking Commission on Web Purchases in Major Win for Developers

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