It seems like this might be Apple’s attempt at a version of alternative app stores, locked down by strict T&Cs.
I opened up the comments hoping to see discussion amongst the people here with strong feelings about Apple’s walled garden, but it seems I’m too early to the party.
Apparently, the apps in wechat aren't transacted via Apple today anyways, maybe some will choose to do so via apple but I can't imagine to be the majority.
I also think wechat have the upper hand in this relationship so Apple is unlikely to be able to do any real forcing function.
> A qualifying mini app within the Mini Apps Partner Program is one that’s put out by a person or entity that’s not directly or indirectly controlled by you, nor under common control with you.
I don't understand; if it's put out by someone else, how do I participate?
As I understand it: Your app is a virtual arcade, that supports “mini app” arcade games published by other developers, that run inside your virtual cabinet.
I make a game for your arcade, and players pay cash to add credits to my game.
The status quo: Player pays £1, Apple takes their 30% cut, you get 70p, take another 30% cut, and give me 49p
What this programme entails: player pays £1, Apple takes a 15% cut, you get 85p, and hopefully pass on some of that extra money to me too.
The gotchas are:
1. it has to be your app and my mini game. This is about lightening the load of all the intermediaries, not about you cheesing an extra 15%
2. It has to be the player buying credits for my game specifically. If you sell “ArcadeBux” redeemable for credits on any game at your arcade, you’re not an intermediary, you’re the vendor.
I have not had a chance (or, frankly, the desire) to read the full Ts&Cs, but I wouldn't be surprised if you (as an app host), will shoulder some of the accountability for bad mini-apps.
tldr: it will let Apple charge a commission (although at 15%, it's half the normal 30% rate for the app store) on popular web app games embedded in to WeChat for the Chinese market
Mini apps are way more than web games. For a lot of people in China, WeChat is effectively their operating system. The platform hosts _millions_ of mini apps covering a significant percentage of the use cases that a mobile developer elsewhere in the world might build a native app for.
As such, it seems like WeChat has historically gotten away with a lot of stuff kinda sorta on the edge of the policies that Apple enforces on everyone else.
> although at 15%, it's half the normal 30% rate for the app store
15% is the normal rate for the App Store. Only developers earning above $1MM/yr through the App Store have to pay 30%, the vast majority of developers only pay 15%.
It's not "normal", you have to "apply" (and get auto-accepted) but won't get the rate if you don't know to do that. You'll also get permanently booted from it if you do some things like transfer ownership of an account (if you want to sell an app you made, IIRC you lose access to this program, even if the app makes under a million).
I expect this is also setting up for MCP marketplaces.
There was evidence of upcoming macOS and iOS updates adding MCP support at a system level across apps. The rules talk about "scripts", not only games or apps.
Readit News
I opened up the comments hoping to see discussion amongst the people here with strong feelings about Apple’s walled garden, but it seems I’m too early to the party.
Huh, I read it as them reüsing the code and contracts they built to partner with Tencent.
Deleted Comment
Not Europe, that’s for sure.
Most likely American “regulation” via cutthroat capitalism and attempt to copy WeChat’s success.
https://www.grab.com/sg/press/others/grab-launches-third-par...
I also think wechat have the upper hand in this relationship so Apple is unlikely to be able to do any real forcing function.
What’s this forced business?
I don't understand; if it's put out by someone else, how do I participate?
I make a game for your arcade, and players pay cash to add credits to my game.
The status quo: Player pays £1, Apple takes their 30% cut, you get 70p, take another 30% cut, and give me 49p
What this programme entails: player pays £1, Apple takes a 15% cut, you get 85p, and hopefully pass on some of that extra money to me too.
The gotchas are:
1. it has to be your app and my mini game. This is about lightening the load of all the intermediaries, not about you cheesing an extra 15%
2. It has to be the player buying credits for my game specifically. If you sell “ArcadeBux” redeemable for credits on any game at your arcade, you’re not an intermediary, you’re the vendor.
The linked program ("Mini Apps Partner") is for you, not for the developer of the mini app.
tldr: it will let Apple charge a commission (although at 15%, it's half the normal 30% rate for the app store) on popular web app games embedded in to WeChat for the Chinese market
As such, it seems like WeChat has historically gotten away with a lot of stuff kinda sorta on the edge of the policies that Apple enforces on everyone else.
Dead Comment
15% is the normal rate for the App Store. Only developers earning above $1MM/yr through the App Store have to pay 30%, the vast majority of developers only pay 15%.
Chatbots are a major area to regulate. I don't see how it would be possible for Telegram (or Discord, or IRC clients...) to comply with this.
There was evidence of upcoming macOS and iOS updates adding MCP support at a system level across apps. The rules talk about "scripts", not only games or apps.
https://9to5mac.com/2025/09/22/macos-tahoe-26-1-beta-1-mcp-i...