Apple has approved a version of China’s WeChat app for iOS ahead of the iPhone 16 launch. This move will offer Tencent , the owner of the most-used Chinese social media platform, to continue negotiations about the changes that the iPhone maker has demanded.
According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple has given a nod to a new WeChat update which was submitted by Tencent this week. This update will be available for iPhone and will also include features like WeChat Moments , a popular feature similar to Instagram Stories, as well as live-streaming capabilities.
Apple’s dispute with Tencent over App Store fees
The latest move will help settle the speculations of a dispute between Apple and Tencent over app store fees that were spreading through China. Rumours claimed that this dispute could even lead to ban on the WeChat app on the latest iPhones.
Earlier, Apple requested Tencent to restrict links to external payment services within its mini-games. The company also wanted the Chinese tech giant to prevent developers from using the platform's messaging features to redirect gamers to other payment gateways to avoid Apple's standard 30% commission.
Previously, Apple has proposed disabling in-game messaging but Tencent rejected that as too extreme. While Tencent resisted these demands, ongoing discussions with Apple suggest that a compromise may be reached for upcoming WeChat updates.
After its latest earnings report last month, Apple’s chief strategy officer, James Mitchell, told analysts that Tencent is negotiating a revenue-sharing deal with the company to allow it to accept payments in mini-games via Apple’s system.
WeChat, a popular app which is used by nearly 1.4 billion people in China, serves as a platform for various activities, including bill payments and cinema ticket bookings. While many of these transactions are exempt from Apple's fees, in-app content and online entertainment, such as mini-games, are still subject to the iOS app store charges .
According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple has given a nod to a new WeChat update which was submitted by Tencent this week. This update will be available for iPhone and will also include features like WeChat Moments , a popular feature similar to Instagram Stories, as well as live-streaming capabilities.
Apple’s dispute with Tencent over App Store fees
The latest move will help settle the speculations of a dispute between Apple and Tencent over app store fees that were spreading through China. Rumours claimed that this dispute could even lead to ban on the WeChat app on the latest iPhones.
Earlier, Apple requested Tencent to restrict links to external payment services within its mini-games. The company also wanted the Chinese tech giant to prevent developers from using the platform's messaging features to redirect gamers to other payment gateways to avoid Apple's standard 30% commission.
Previously, Apple has proposed disabling in-game messaging but Tencent rejected that as too extreme. While Tencent resisted these demands, ongoing discussions with Apple suggest that a compromise may be reached for upcoming WeChat updates.
After its latest earnings report last month, Apple’s chief strategy officer, James Mitchell, told analysts that Tencent is negotiating a revenue-sharing deal with the company to allow it to accept payments in mini-games via Apple’s system.
WeChat, a popular app which is used by nearly 1.4 billion people in China, serves as a platform for various activities, including bill payments and cinema ticket bookings. While many of these transactions are exempt from Apple's fees, in-app content and online entertainment, such as mini-games, are still subject to the iOS app store charges .
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