Apple’s App Store Mini Apps Partner Program: what app teams need to know

Apple's introduction of the Mini Apps Partner Program marks a significant shift by allowing third-party mini apps to benefit from a reduced 15% fee on qualifying in-app purchases, provided they meet specific criteria and utilize Apple's Advanced Commerce API. This program targets platform, marketplace, or ecosystem apps, offering a formalized structure for hosting HTML5/JavaScript mini apps developed by third parties, akin to those in WeChat and Alipay ecosystems. By setting clear guidelines and APIs, Apple aims to streamline the previously ambiguous space of mini-app ecosystems, making it more attractive for developers and platform hosts with better compliance and economic incentives. However, the program is tailored for apps that already function as platforms or marketplaces, rather than those seeking a shortcut to lower fees. This initiative signals Apple's move towards embracing "apps inside apps" and could potentially influence the evolution of mobile software by aligning with global super-app trends and encouraging the use of JS-based app-building tools.