TikTok appears to be experimenting with a way for users to purchase virtual coins directly through its website rather than through Apple’s in-app purchase system, according to a report by TechCrunch. The move could potentially bypass the tech giant’s standard 30% service fee on in-app sales.

TikTok’s virtual coins are commonly used within the app to tip creators, and until now, these transactions have been processed through Apple’s in-app purchasing system. However, some users have reportedly encountered a new option that redirects them to TikTok’s own website for the coin purchases. A pop-up message implies that by using this alternative route, users can “avoid in-app service fees.”

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The specifics of who is seeing this new purchasing method are not yet clear. TechCrunch’s report said that only a subset of users, such as those with a history of substantial coin purchases, have been presented with this option.

The potential savings from purchasing coins via TikTok’s website are pretty huge. Users are reportedly offered a 25% discount, attributed to “third-party service fees.” Upon opening the link tiktok.com/coin, a variety of payment methods are available, including Apple Pay and traditional card options. The social media giant emphasizes that direct purchases will grant the 25% savings, as seen on the screenshot below.

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Apple had previously updated its App Store Guidelines in January, allowing some apps to link out to external payment systems. However, even under the revised guidelines, these transactions would still incur a significant commission fee—12% for members of the App Store Small Business Program and 27% for others. This raises questions about how TikTok’s proposed 25% discount would align with Apple’s required 27% commission.

Furthermore, TikTok’s method for guiding users to its website for purchases seems to sidestep Apple’s requirement for a clear notice that informs users they are being directed to an external website. This omission could indicate that TikTok is not utilizing the appropriate workaround provided by Apple.

Details around this development remain scarce, and neither TikTok nor Apple has commented on the situation. It remains to be seen whether this marks a strategic shift in how TikTok handles in-app purchases or if it’s merely a test for a specific group of users. Regardless, the move could have significant implications for the relationship between app developers and platform owners like Apple and Google.

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