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I have a free utility app for school kids with an install base in the multiple millions. I don’t make much off it, but many users find it helpful. It’s most pop

I have a free utility app for school kids with an install base in the multiple millions. I don’t make much off it, but many users find it helpful. It’s most popular in the EU. So… if I’m understanding right, I need to take the app down, or start charging an up front fee to school children? Nice one Apple. I hope I’m allowed to add a pop up explaining to users why the app will now incur a mandatory charge. The best way I can interpret this: it only applies to new downloads each year. In that case, it’s still concerning —- what happens if there is a surge of downloads? I’m on the hook for $50k overnight? And if updates are included in this number like some comments here suggest, users aren’t going to get any bug fixes. Wow. HN, please tell me I’m interpreting this wrong.

pcammeraat 3y ago
No. Just do not switch to the new terms and keep the terms you are using now.
wvenable 3y ago
From the developer FAQ on Apple's site: > Developers who don’t want anything to change can stay on the exact same business terms available today — continuing to share their apps on the App Store alone, and to use the App Store’s secure payment processing. https://developer.apple.com/support/dma-and-apps-in-the-eu/#faq https://developer.apple.com/support/dma-and-apps-in-the-eu/#...
- jordansmithnz 3y ago
  Thanks -- this is a relief. I hope it lasts though, I could see Apple deprecating this option in a few years, once most apps have adopted the newer terms.
  - wvenable 3y ago
    I think Apple would prefer that nothing changes -- they make the new terms unappealing so nobody would choose them.
  - Aeolun 3y ago
    Nobody wil accept the new terms until the EU slaps the hammer on Apple once again.
    - jordansmithnz 3y ago
      ‘Nobody’ is a large assumption. For developers with a consistently small download base, they can switch with little concern. The consensus here seems to be that Apple don’t want anyone to switch. I’m not sure I fully buy into this, because most developers don’t have the size problem, so switching could be beneficial for them.
pyr0hu 3y ago
Jesus no. Everyone gets stuck on the install fees but thats only in the equation if you switch to the new terms. And you dont have to, only if you want to use the external app stores or payment processors. "Developers can choose to adopt these new business terms, or stay on Apple’s existing terms. Developers must adopt the new business terms for EU apps to use the new capabilities for alternative distribution or alternative payment processing."
deleted 3y ago
[deleted]
matwood 3y ago
https://developer.apple.com/support/fee-calculator-for-apps-in-the-eu/ https://developer.apple.com/support/fee-calculator-for-apps-... Developers can choose to adopt these new business terms, or stay on Apple’s existing terms.
- Xunjin 3y ago
  Basically "Stay on what we want, or change to even worst model, that just compliance with EU law, for now".
yreg 3y ago
You can stay on the current terms and distribute through the App Store. Or you can create a nonprofit and the fees are supposed to be waived.
kantium 3y ago
And what about forking the application ? Kid school France, kid school Germany, ... just having app staying under the 1M radar.
- anticensor 3y ago
  That would run afoul of anti-circumvention clause of the DMA.
jonp888 3y ago
You don't have anything to worry about. You are just stuck in a nice new cage Apple has built for you because they were forced to dismantle the old cage. So long as you are good boy and don't upload your App to any non-Apple app store, you won't be charged the per-install fee. Once you do, the gloves are off. They will start, and they won't ever stop even if you repent and go back to Apple-only distribution. Clever, right?
julienb_sea 3y ago
There is no reason to move off of Apple's App Store unless you are explicitly trying to avoid their fees, which pretty much only applies to revenue generating apps that stand to profit more by avoiding Apple's commissions than 0.5 eur/annual install.

pcammeraat 3y ago

No. Just do not switch to the new terms and keep the terms you are using now.

wvenable 3y ago

From the developer FAQ on Apple's site: > Developers who don’t want anything to change can stay on the exact same business terms available today — continuing to share their apps on the App Store alone, and to use the App Store’s secure payment processing. https://developer.apple.com/support/dma-and-apps-in-the-eu/#faq https://developer.apple.com/support/dma-and-apps-in-the-eu/#...

jordansmithnz 3y ago
Thanks -- this is a relief. I hope it lasts though, I could see Apple deprecating this option in a few years, once most apps have adopted the newer terms.
- wvenable 3y ago
  I think Apple would prefer that nothing changes -- they make the new terms unappealing so nobody would choose them.
- Aeolun 3y ago
  Nobody wil accept the new terms until the EU slaps the hammer on Apple once again.
  - jordansmithnz 3y ago
    ‘Nobody’ is a large assumption. For developers with a consistently small download base, they can switch with little concern. The consensus here seems to be that Apple don’t want anyone to switch. I’m not sure I fully buy into this, because most developers don’t have the size problem, so switching could be beneficial for them.

pyr0hu 3y ago

Jesus no. Everyone gets stuck on the install fees but thats only in the equation if you switch to the new terms. And you dont have to, only if you want to use the external app stores or payment processors. "Developers can choose to adopt these new business terms, or stay on Apple’s existing terms. Developers must adopt the new business terms for EU apps to use the new capabilities for alternative distribution or alternative payment processing."

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]

matwood 3y ago

https://developer.apple.com/support/fee-calculator-for-apps-in-the-eu/ https://developer.apple.com/support/fee-calculator-for-apps-... Developers can choose to adopt these new business terms, or stay on Apple’s existing terms.

Xunjin 3y ago
Basically "Stay on what we want, or change to even worst model, that just compliance with EU law, for now".

yreg 3y ago

You can stay on the current terms and distribute through the App Store. Or you can create a nonprofit and the fees are supposed to be waived.

kantium 3y ago

And what about forking the application ? Kid school France, kid school Germany, ... just having app staying under the 1M radar.

anticensor 3y ago
That would run afoul of anti-circumvention clause of the DMA.

jonp888 3y ago

You don't have anything to worry about. You are just stuck in a nice new cage Apple has built for you because they were forced to dismantle the old cage. So long as you are good boy and don't upload your App to any non-Apple app store, you won't be charged the per-install fee. Once you do, the gloves are off. They will start, and they won't ever stop even if you repent and go back to Apple-only distribution. Clever, right?

julienb_sea 3y ago

There is no reason to move off of Apple's App Store unless you are explicitly trying to avoid their fees, which pretty much only applies to revenue generating apps that stand to profit more by avoiding Apple's commissions than 0.5 eur/annual install.