Web Distribution in the EU
Web Distribution lets authorized developers distribute their iOS and iPadOS apps to users in the European Union (EU) directly from a website owned by the developer. Apple provides access to APIs that facilitate the distribution of developers’ apps from the web, integrate with system functionality, back up and restore users’ apps, and more. Apps offered through Web Distribution must meet Notarization requirements to protect platform integrity, like all iOS and iPadOS apps, and can only be installed from a website domain that the developer has registered in App Store Connect. These capabilities are available to EU users on devices running a minimum of iOS 17.5 or iPadOS 18.
Using App Store Connect, developers can easily download signed binary assets and host them on their website for distribution. When installing an app, a system sheet will display information that developers have submitted to Apple for review, like the app name, developer name, app description, screenshots, and system age rating.
Eligibility and requirements
Distributing apps directly from a website requires responsibility for and oversight of the user experience, including the ability to manage apps and provide customer support and refunds. Apple will authorize developers after meeting specific criteria and committing to ongoing requirements that help protect users.
If you’re interested in using Web Distribution, the Account Holder of your Apple Developer Program membership will first need to agree to the latest Apple Developer Program License Agreement. Once you’ve agreed, you can submit a request for access. To qualify, your organization must:
- Only offer apps from your developer account.
- Be responsive to communications from Apple regarding your apps distributed through Web Distribution, particularly regarding any fraudulent, malicious, or illegal behavior, or anything else that Apple believes impacts the safety, security, or privacy of users.
- Publish transparent data collection policies and offer users control over how their data is collected and used.
- Follow applicable laws of the jurisdictions where you operate (for example, the Digital Services Act, the General Data Protection Regulation, and consumer protection laws).
- Be responsible for handling governmental and other requests regarding your apps.
- Meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
- Fee waiver. You’re a nonprofit organization, accredited educational institution, or government entity which has been approved for an Apple Developer Program fee waiver.
- Global Business Ranking (GBR) score from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) rating. Your organization’s GBR score from D&B qualifies you for the “Low Risk” or “Below Average Risk” categories.
- Stock exchange listing. Your organization is publicly traded or is part of a corporate group that is publicly traded, on a stock exchange listed on the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), or an exchange operated by Euronext.
- Venture capital funding. Your organization is funded by a venture capital firm listed on the Midas List, Midas List Europe, Invest Europe, or the HEC-Dow Jones Venture Capital Performance Ranking. There is no minimum funding amount required.
- Stand-by letter of credit. Provide Apple with a stand-by letter of credit in the amount of USD 1,000,000 (or the equivalent in local currency) from a financial institution that’s at least “BBB-” rated or equivalent by S&P, Fitch, or Moody’s, and maintain that stand-by letter of credit for at least 6 months after your app is available to customers.
- Financial audit. Provide Apple with confirmation of a financial audit with an unqualified and unmodified opinion conducted within the last three years by an accredited accounting or assurance firm, such as one under the EU Statutory Audit Directive. Apple will not assess your financial standing or the value of your assets.
- One million first annual installs worldwide. Be enrolled in the Apple Developer Program in good standing for two continuous years or more, and have an app that had more than one million first annual installs worldwide on iOS and/or iPadOS in the prior calendar year.
Transaction reporting, commissions, and taxes
Transaction reporting. Developers who distribute their apps using Web Distribution are responsible for reporting their transactions of digital goods or services to Apple, including those that didn’t result in a sale.
Commissions. All transactions are subject to the Core Technology Commission (CTC) of 5%. The CTC covers the following types of transactions:
- Sales of digital goods and services within apps distributed via Web Distribution.
- Sales of digital goods or services (including one-time purchases and auto-renewing subscriptions) required to download or access apps distributed via Web Distribution, including paid subscriptions to access or download app content.
- Sales when apps distributed via Web Distribution direct users to offers and promotions available outside of the app with actionable links that open in a web browser to a website for the purchase of digital goods and services. Only sales made within 7 days of the link tap are subject to this commission.
Taxes. The commission applies to the total price payable by each user, less any transaction taxes. You are responsible for the collection and remittance of any applicable taxes. It is your responsibility to collect, report, and remit any required tax to the appropriate tax authorities for transactions that take place using Web Distribution.
Transition to the unified EU terms
You can request access for Web Distribution now. If approved, the capability will be issued to your account on October 1, 2026.
If you need access sooner, you can apply using the “One million first annual installs worldwide” option and agree to the Alternative Terms Addendum for Apps in the EU. Note that as Apple moves to a unified business model in the EU for all developers, the Alternative Terms Addendum is being phased out. Starting October 1, 2026, it will be superseded by Attachment 14 of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement.
To move to the unified EU terms before then, you’ll need to agree to the updated Apple Developer Program License Agreement. Once you do, your account will be subject to the unified EU terms starting October 1, 2026, or the date you agree, whichever is later. If you owe Apple fees or commissions accrued under the discontinued agreement, you’ll remain responsible for paying those amounts.