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

Google has gained permission to sell its e-books and audiobooks directly to customers through its iOS app, Google Play Books. While iOS apps today can offer access to content previously purchased elsewhere, like e-books bought via a website, developers have to request a specific exception to link their iOS app’s users to the company’s own website to make purchases.

According to a brief post on Google’s blog, users will now be able to click on a new “Get book” button in the Google Play Books iOS app which will take them to the Google Play website to complete their e-book or audiobook purchase.

From there, users will be able to see their recently opened book listings and complete a purchase using their Google Account and saved payment information.

By processing the transaction on its own website, Google can avoid paying Apple a commission (generally 30%) on in-app purchases of digital content.

In addition, the iOS app’s users will be able to share their books with a family group from Google Play’s Family Library, whether the family member uses iOS, Android, or the web as their reading or listening device.

To allow for this change, it seems Google applied for the exception called the External Link Account Entitlement, which was originally introduced as a result of Apple’s settlement with a Japanese regulator, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) in 2022.

The rule focuses on “reader apps” — meaning those designed primarily to provide access to some sort of digital content, like magazines, books, audio, music, or video. To use the entitlement, developers have to request additional approval from Apple and then follow other rules about how the website displays when their external link is clicked, how the link is formatted, how it’s referenced in the app’s code, and more.

It also specifies that users will have to see a full-screen announcement warning them that they’re no longer transacting with Apple after clicking the external link.

Netflix was among the first to adopt the new rule in 2022 by making it possible to sign up for a subscription via its website.

Google did not explain why it has only now decided to offer direct purchases, but it may have been waiting for the results of the lawsuit between Fortnite maker Epic Games and Apple.

That case ultimately discovered that Apple was not a monopolist, but confirmed that Apple would have to allow app developers to link to their own websites if they chose. The Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal in January 2024, leaving the original ruling from the lower courts to stand.