The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has proposed allowing app developers to direct users to payment options outside Apple’s App Store, with any fees Apple charges for enabling such “steering” required to be fair, reasonable, and below existing App Store commissions. The CMA is also considering requiring Apple to open access to its near-field communication technology used for Apple Pay contactless payments, which would allow developers to offer competing payment options within their apps.
As reported by Reuters, these proposals represent the next phase of enforcement action following Apple’s designation with strategic market status in the UK for iOS and iPadOS in October 2025, a move that empowered regulators to impose binding requirements. The CMA reached that designation after finding Apple held substantial and entrenched market power across operating systems, app distribution, browsers, and browser engines on smartphones and tablets.
Under the CMA’s plan, developers would no longer face restrictions preventing them from directing UK users to off-platform payment options. Any fees Apple charges for enabling this “steering” must be fair and reasonable, remain below existing App Store commissions, and allow developers to either pass savings to consumers or reinvest them in innovation.
The NFC access proposal would be more significant since Apple currently restricts access to the near-field communication technology powering Apple Pay contactless payments, preventing third-party developers from offering competing payment systems within their own apps. Opening this technology would fundamentally alter the payments landscape in the UK, where Apple Pay has maintained dominant market position.
Apple responded by stating that “when users are directed away from Apple’s trusted payment infrastructure, they lose the protections they rely on Apple to provide.” The company said it would continue to “make our concerns clear” to the CMA. Apple has previously argued that allowing developers to direct users to off-platform payments could undermine user security and fraud protections, and limit its ability to verify transactions.
The CMA’s proposals follow an agreement Apple and Google reached in February 2026 to commit to reviewing and ranking apps in a fair, objective, and transparent way without discrimination, and to allow developers easier access to iOS features and functionality.
