Apple Announces App Store Mini Apps Partner Program

Apple today announced the App Store Mini Apps Partner Program, allowing apps that host mini apps and mini games to support In-App Purchases.

iOS App Store General Feature JoeBlue
The program is designed for developers who host mini apps and games within a larger, native app.

Today, we're introducing the Mini Apps Partner Program, which expands on the App Store's ongoing support for apps that offer mini apps. Mini apps are self-contained experiences that are built using web technologies like HTML5 and JavaScript. This program is designed to help developers who host mini apps grow their business and further the availability of mini apps on the App Store — all while providing a great customer experience.

Participating developers may benefit from a reduced commission rate of 15% on the sales of qualifying In-App Purchases. To be eligible for this reduced commission rate, participating apps must support certain App Store technologies, including the Declared Age Range API and the Advanced Commerce API in order to help provide a safe and seamless experience for customers of all ages.

The mini apps must be not be controlled by the developer of the host app. Participating apps are also required to support certain ‌App Store‌ technologies, such as the Declared Age Range API and the Advanced Commerce API. To join the Mini Apps Partner Program, developers must submit a request form.

The program seemingly relates to Apple's deal with Tencent, allowing it to obtain commission on mini games and mini apps in China's WeChat.

Apple also updated its App Review Guidelines today, adding and clarifying a range of requirements, including the provision that "creator apps must provide a way for users to identify content that exceeds the app's age rating, use an age restriction mechanism based on verified or declared age to limit access by underage users."

Popular Stories

m5 macbook pro deal

Why You Shouldn't Buy the Next MacBook Pro

Tuesday February 10, 2026 4:27 pm PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models as soon as early March, but if you can, this is one generation you should skip because there's something much better in the works. We're waiting on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with few changes other than the processor upgrade. There won't be any tweaks to the design or the display, but later this...
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3

Wednesday February 11, 2026 10:07 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, the latest updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out in September. The new software comes almost two months after Apple released iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple's release notes, ...
M3 iPad Air

Apple's Next Two Products Are Coming Soon

Thursday February 12, 2026 11:17 am PST by
Apple plans to release an iPhone 17e and an iPad Air with an M4 chip "in the coming weeks," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple retail employees say that inventory of the iPhone 16e has basically dried out and the iPad Air is seeing shortages as well," said Gurman. "I've been expecting new versions of both (iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air) in the coming weeks."...
Apple Logo Black

Apple Acquires New Database App

Wednesday February 11, 2026 6:44 am PST by
Apple acquired Canadian graph database company Kuzu last year, it has emerged. The acquisition, spotted by AppleInsider, was completed in October 2025 for an undisclosed sum. The company's website was subsequently taken down and its Github repository was archived, as is commonplace for Apple acquisitions. Kuzu was "an embedded graph database built for query speed, scalability, and easy of ...
iPhone 16e Bottom Crop

Apple Reportedly Unveiling a New iPhone Next Week

Tuesday February 10, 2026 1:51 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report said the iPhone 17e will be announced in a press release on the Apple Newsroom website, so do not expect an event for this device specifically. The iPhone 17e will be a spec-bumped successor to the iPhone 16e. Rumors claim the device will have four key...

Top Rated Comments

mihighil Avatar
13 weeks ago
I’ve read enough, iphone 18 mini confirmed.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 weeks ago

I'm already annoyed when I download an app and it turns out to be a wrapper around a website
I don't know about you, but I've stopped downloading apps unless its from one of my banks or a restaurant for ordering. This is 100% a learned behavior due to all the free apps with ad bloat and charging for IAP just to perform the basic purpose of the app. So sure, Apple can keep going this route... but they have trained me not to spend a dime with their store or even look for anything in it.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 weeks ago
We just want iOS like MacOS. Options to download DMGs from the dev website or from the Mac app store. That's it. Mac is very secure. Just like now, default, DMGs can't be installed unless the developer certificate is valid. Disgusting Apple is getting 15%-30% of every business. Apple's margins are 38-41%. Taking 30% from a business is killing it
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 weeks ago

Isn't that sort of like what Jobs originally envisioned for iOS apps, before the developers revolted?
I'm already annoyed when I download an app and it turns out to be a wrapper around a website
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 weeks ago

('https://www.macrumors.com/2025/11/13/apple-announces-mini-apps-partner-program/')

Apple today announced ('https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=xcz1s7cz') the App Store Mini Apps Partner Program ('https://developer.apple.com/programs/mini-apps-partner/').



The program is designed for developers who host mini apps and games within a larger, native app.



The mini apps must be not be controlled by the developer of the host app. Participating apps are also required to support certain App Store technologies, such as the Declared Age Range API and the Advanced Commerce API. To join the Mini Apps Partner Program, developers must submit a request form.

Apple also updated its App Review Guidelines ('https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=ey6d8onl') today, adding and clarifying a range of requirements, including the provision that "creator apps must provide a way for users to identify content that exceeds the app's age rating, use an age restriction mechanism based on verified or declared age to limit access by underage users."


Article Link: Apple Announces App Store Mini Apps Partner Program ('https://www.macrumors.com/2025/11/13/apple-announces-mini-apps-partner-program/')
Oh great - now on top of the already disgusting IAPs in the main apps, we will have even more disgusting Apple-pushed IAPs in mini apps INSIDE those main apps.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EugW Avatar
13 weeks ago
Mini apps are self-contained experiences that are built using web technologies like HTML5 and JavaScript.
Isn't that sort of like what Jobs originally envisioned for iOS apps, before the developers revolted?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)