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Google Play Books purchases on iOS now skirt the App Store’s commission
Google Play Books can now sell e-books and audiobooks directly through its iOS app, bypassing the App Store's commission fees. This follows Google's application for an exception that allows external links to their own purchase site, a result of Apple's regulatory changes. Users can purchase content using their Google account while enjoying features like family sharing across platforms.
Key points
- Google Play Books now allows purchases directly via its iOS app.
- Users click a 'Get book' button which takes them to the Google Play website.
- By completing purchases on Google's site, they avoid Apple's 30% commission.
- This change follows Apple's allowance for external links after regulatory pressure.
- Users can share purchased books through Google Play’s Family Library.
- The change comes after legal scrutiny on Apple's App Store practices.
Why it matters
- The change aligns with 2025 IT trends advocating for more transparent payment practices.
- This follows a broader trend where companies seek to eliminate high commission fees on digital transactions.
- The ruling from the Epic Games lawsuit has influenced several companies to adjust their purchasing strategies.
Google's ability to sell directly on iOS reflects ongoing shifts in digital commerce, regulatory influences, and the pursuit of fairer revenue models, marking a significant step in developers' independence from Apple's App Store policies.