TikTok might be navigating the App Store differently in order to reduce commission costs, TikTok is avoiding paying commission. The social video app controlled by ByteDance is allegedly sending some of its users to a website where they may buy the coins needed to tip digital creators. These coins are usually purchased through in-app purchases, which need paying Apple a 30% commission.
Because it’s restricted to some individuals, such as testers or high spenders, the feature might be hidden from the majority of users by design. Whatever the case, those who are able to access the new option are being directed to tiktok.com to “recharge,” or purchase additional coins. Despite the fact that Insightfullnk found these screenshots within the iOS app
It’s unclear when, how, or by how much TikTok users are seeing them, according to tipster David Tesler.
Tesler claims that an account that had previously made a sizable coin transaction was given the chance to make a purchase online.
Why TikTok is avoiding paying commission:
Users may occasionally see a screen with the text “Try recharging on tiktok.com to avoid in-app service fees” and a “Try now” link. At other times, they can get a pop-up with the phrase, “Try recharging on tiktok.com,” along with additional information regarding the possible savings. This one is followed by a large, red “Try now” button or a less conspicuous one that says, “You can save the service fee and get access to popular payment methods.”
Clearly marked “Don’t show again” option
When users click on the supplied link, they are directed to tiktok.com/coin, where they can purchase coins. They can pay using a number of options from this web view, such as Apple Pay or debit or credit cards. Customers are reminded on the website that using TikTok directly will result in savings of about 25% “with a lower third-party service fee.”
Customers can buy coin packs online that contain anything from 70 and 17,500 coins, or they can enter a custom amount. However, coin packs are only available within the app, with no possibility to customize the quantity. Coin packs range in value from 20 to 16,500.
That might imply that TikTok is only displaying the website links to individuals who often make greater purchases.
Coin packs all at once.
Though the use case was restricted, Apple did start allowing developers of certain apps to include connections to their websites from within the app back in 2022. The only applications that meet the requirements to be eligible for these lines for “account management” are what Apple refers to as “reader” apps, or those whose primary function is access to paid digital content (think Netflix, not Facebook). Furthermore, applications that opt to utilize the External Link Entitlement are unable to provide in-app purchases through the App Store. There is an either/or choice.
It appears that TikTok is not adhering to the External Link Entitlement guidelines even though the majority of its users have the opportunity to make purchases through in-app transactions.
It had received the exception—which would come as a surprise.
Requests for comments have not yet been answered by TikTok or Apple. According to TikTok’s help literature, coins can be bought and recharged on mobile devices through Google Play and the App Store.
Tesler pointed out that Apple removed Fortnite’s app from the App Store when the developer included a feature that let customers to avoid Apple’s in-app purchases. Given the present political climate around the Beijing-based app, it is unclear what, if any, action Apple will take against TikTok.
Given that President Biden recently signed a bill prohibiting the app into law, TikTok’s future in the United States is currently unclear. But, the business declared that, as it has in the past, it intends to challenge the ban in court.
in the administration of President Trump. Prior to a new, bipartisan bill passing both the House and the Senate, Biden had originally decided to halt efforts to outlaw the app.
The feature may be hidden from most users, either by design or because it’s only shown to users in a specific group, like testers or high spenders. In any event, those who do have access to the new option are seeing a screen that encourages them to “recharge” — that is, buy more coins — via tiktok.com. Although these screenshots were discovered within the iOS app by TechCrunch tipster David Tesler, it’s not clear how many TikTok users are seeing them or when or how they’re being shown.
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