Google Play Books purchases on iOS now skirt the App Store’s commission

Google has been allowed to sell its e-book and audioboxes directly to customers through its iOS app, Google Play book. Although iOS applications can offer access to purchased materials today, such as e-books purchased through a website, the developers need to request the users of their iOS app to link to the company’s own website for a specific exception.

According to a short post Google’s blogUsers will now be able to click on a new “Book” button on the Google Play Books IOS app that will take them to the Google Play website to complete their e-book or audio book purchase.

From there, users will be able to visit their recently open book lists and complete a purchase by using their Google Account and saving the payment information.

By processing transactions on your website, Google Apple can avoid giving Apple a commission (usually 30%) when purchasing a digital content application.

Also, users of the iOS app will be able to share their books with a family group from the Family Library of Google Play, whether family members use iOS, Android or web as their reading or listening device.

To allow for this change, it seems that Google applied for an exception known as the entitlement of the external link account account, which was originally introduced as a result of this Apple’s settlement with the Japanese regulator, Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) in 2022.

The rule focuses on the “Reader Apps” – which means mainly designed to provide access to some types of digital content such as magazines, books, audio, music or videos. To use the entitlement, developers need to request Additional approval From Apple and then websites are displayed on how the link is displayed when clicking out, how the link is formatted, how it is mentioned in the code of the application and follow the other rules on how many more.

It also mentions that users have a full-screen declaration that they need to warn them that they are no longer dealing with Apple after clicking on the external link.

Netflix was within the first one who took the new rule in 2022 through which it made it possible to sign up for subscriptions through it WebsiteThe

Google has not explained why it has now decided to just propose directly, but it may wait for the case between Fortnite Maker Epic Games and Apple.

This case was finally discovered that Apple was not exclusive, but if Apple developers were chosen they would be allowed to link to their own websites. The The Supreme Court has refused to hear appeals In January 2024, leaving the original verdict to stand up from the lower court.