Apple and Tencent Holdings Ltd. have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement to lower Apple's revenue share on WeChat mini games and mini programs to around 15%, with Apple handling payments for the platform going forward. This development could resolve a protracted dispute over WeChat mini programs on iOS devices and represents a significant milestone in China's tech industry negotiations with Apple.
Tencent president Martin Lau addressed the rumors for the first time during the company's third-quarter 2025 earnings call. He noted that Tencent maintains strong communication with Apple across various areas and described ongoing constructive discussions regarding the rollout and regulation of mini games and mini programs. "We remain optimistic about overall progress; both sides have indeed made constructive advances, but details await official announcements," Lau said.
Earlier on November 14, WeChat issued a public statement commending Apple's new Mini Apps Partner Program, expressing its intention to help developers integrate swiftly and promote a healthy ecosystem. This marks a notable shift from previous tensions, indicating WeChat's willingness to cooperate more closely with Apple.
The negotiations between Tencent and Apple over payment processing and commission rates for WeChat mini games have lasted more than a year, attracting international attention. Unlike the high-profile Epic Games lawsuit against Apple, Tencent and Apple have taken a low-key, pragmatic approach to resolve their differences, though sources indicate both parties have maintained firm positions.
In May 2023, Apple cautioned Tencent that some WeChat mini programs violated App Store policies by directing users to payments outside Apple's system. Apple threatened to temporarily halt updates to the WeChat app unless Tencent closed technical loopholes that allowed users to bypass Apple's standard 30% commission on digital goods.
WeChat mini programs operate fully within the WeChat ecosystem rather than as standalone apps in the App Store. This has enabled many users to make payments without triggering Apple's commission, raising concerns about revenue erosion in the App Store's gaming segment.
Industry analysts view a potential 15% commission agreement as a major shift amid global pressures for more open app ecosystems and regulatory scrutiny. It would represent a strategic concession by Apple toward China's dominant internet platforms. Experts suggest that such a deal would also clear compliance hurdles for WeChat mini games on iOS and could open doors for new collaboration models between Apple and other Chinese tech firms.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has visited China multiple times in 2025, efforts believed to support Apple's supply chain and expand its service ecosystem in the region. The provisional Tencent agreement is seen as a key outcome of these intensified diplomatic and business engagements.
Although official details have yet to be disclosed, the unusually positive remarks from Tencent and WeChat indicate the negotiations may be approaching a critical resolution phase.
Article edited by Joseph Chen
