What you need to know
- Apple claims the responsibility they take through the review process creates customer trust.
- Apple outlines free, physical goods, and web apps from which they derive zero revenue.
- Apple provides examples of App Store apps that successfully compete with built-in apps.
There has been an influx of allegations recently concerning Apple, the App Store, and whether it's a monopoly or otherwise anti-competitive. Everything from Spotify's victimy allegations to the EU, to the weird claim that Apple artificially inflates the prices of apps in a world where prices raced to the bottom years ago.
In response, Apple has published a new page on Principles and Practices of the App Store.
We created the App Store with two goals in mind: that it be a safe and trusted place for customers to discover and download apps, and a great business opportunity for all developers.
It's filled with strong statements on Apple's policies and beliefs:
It's our store. And we take responsibility for it.
We review every app and every update.
We give developers a platform. And flexibility.
84% of apps are free, and developers pay nothing to Apple.
Apple also outlines where it doesn't — free apps, physical goods, web apps — and does — paid apps, in-app purchases, subscriptions — make money on the store.
A store that welcomes competition.
They also show popular apps that compete directly with Apple's own built-in apps.
We're always learning, and trying to make the App Store experience better for customers and developers by offering the best apps. And this commitment has never wavered.
It's a strong set of statements, which is nothing new for Apple. We'll just have to wait and see how successful it is at changing the narrative.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Apple's global head of accessibility interviews with Evening Standard
Apple's head of privacy Sarah Herrlinger has sat down in an interview with Evening Standard to discuss customization, design and privacy.

Someone actually grated cheese on the Mac Pro
The iFixit team has grated cheese on the Mac Pro in its uncasing and first impressions video of the new machine.

Waymo One, Google's self-driving pickup service now has an iOS app
Google's Waymo One pickup service is now available on iOS, giving some users the chance to take part in Waymo's early rider program.

The iPhone XR is colorful. Keep it that way with a clear case.
A big part of the iPhone XR’s appeal is the array of color options. What’s the point of a colorful phone if you cover it up completely?