Apple Launches Mini Apps Partner Program

Apple has launched the Mini Apps Partner Program, a new initiative aimed at supporting developers who host mini apps and games within larger native applications on the App Store. The program offers participating developers 85 percent of revenue from qualifying in-app purchases, reducing Apple's standard commission rate to 15 percent. Announced on Thursday, the effort builds on the company's support for such web-based experiences since 2017 and comes amid reports of a related agreement with Tencent to apply the reduced rate to mini app transactions inside WeChat, China's dominant super app.

Mini apps are defined as self-contained software experiences, such as games or utilities, built using web technologies like HTML5 or JavaScript and distributed within a host app. These differ from traditional native apps by running code added after installation, provided it complies with Apple's developer guidelines. The program targets host developers, requiring their apps to integrate specific technologies for enhanced user safety and commerce. Key requirements include the Declared Age Range API, which helps deliver age-appropriate content, and the Advanced Commerce API, which streamlines...