Apple Holds WordPress Update Due To Lack Of In-app Purchases

The iPhone manufacturer Apple is said to have withheld the latest update for the iOS version of the WordPress app. Apparently, the group wants to benefit even more from the service in the future and oblige WordPress to integrate in-app purchases into the application.

Apple Apologized: In the meantime, Apple has commented on the topic. According to The Verge, the iPhone maker makes it clear that the developer has removed its own payment options from the app and is, therefore, offering a standalone, free app. For this reason, WordPress will not have to offer in-app purchases in the app in the future. Apple informed the developer and apologized for the confusion.

This emerges from a tweet by WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg. He emphasizes that no updates are currently being delivered for iOS devices because Apple has blocked the updates. The updates should only be released again when the service has committed to building in-app purchase options into the software.

Although the tool is primarily intended for managing blogs and not selling subscriptions, Apple is accusing the WordPress app of violating the guidelines. After Matt Mullenweg had considered splitting the app into a version for paying customers and a version for privately hosted websites, he decided to accept the claims.

Apple 30 percent fees

The goal of Apple is of course to be able to make money on WordPress sales. After all, a commission of 30 percent goes to Apple for in-app purchases made through the App Store. After all, the group cannot make any money with an app that is offered free of charge and does not offer in-app purchases.

WordPress isn’t the only company having a problem with Apple. After the publisher Epic Games built its own payment method into the Fortnite iOS app due to the high fees, Apple unceremoniously removed the popular game from the store. Epic Games then filed a lawsuit against the iPhone manufacturer. Telegram and Spotify had also complained about the fees.