TikTok, the popular social video app owned by ByteDance, may have found a way to bypass the App Store and save money on commissions. Recent findings reveal that some TikTok users are being presented with a link to a website where they can purchase the coins used for tipping digital creators, instead of buying them through in-app purchases that require a 30% commission paid to Apple.
The feature appears to be hidden from most users, possibly only shown to specific groups such as testers or high spenders. Screenshots discovered within the iOS app suggest that those who do have access to the new option are encouraged to “recharge” and buy more coins via tiktok.com. It is unclear how many users are seeing these prompts and how they are being targeted.
One TikTok tipster, David Tesler, reported that the option to purchase via the web was displayed to an account that had previously made a significant coin purchase. In some cases, users are shown screens with messages like “Try recharging on tiktok.com to avoid in-app service fees,” followed by a “Try now” link. Other times, a pop-up appears suggesting users try recharging on the website, emphasizing potential savings and offering a “Try now” button or a “Don’t show again” option.
When users follow the provided link, they are directed to tiktok.com/coin, where they can choose various payment methods, including Apple Pay, debit or credit cards. The website highlights that purchasing directly from TikTok can save users around 25% with a lower third-party service fee compared to in-app purchases.
On the web, users can buy coin packs ranging from 70 coins to 17,500 coins, with the option to enter a custom amount. However, inside the app, coin packs start at 20 coins up to 16,500, without a custom amount option. This difference suggests that TikTok may only be showing the web links to users who typically purchase larger packs of coins.
It is worth noting that Apple introduced the ability for select apps to include links to their websites from within the app in 2022, but the use case was limited to “reader” apps that primarily provide access to paid digital content. Apps using this External Link Entitlement cannot offer in-app purchases via the App Store. TikTok seems to be offering most of its users the option to buy via in-app purchases, indicating that it may not be following the External Link Entitlement rules, even if it had been granted an exception.
Neither TikTok nor Apple have commented on the situation yet. TikTok’s help documentation states that coins are available for purchase and recharge through the App Store and Google Play. However, David Tesler pointed out that when Fortnite attempted to bypass Apple’s in-app purchases, it was banned from the App Store. The response from Apple regarding TikTok’s actions remains uncertain given the current political climate surrounding the app.
TikTok’s future in the United States is also uncertain, as President Biden has signed a bill to ban the app. However, TikTok plans to fight this ban in court, as it did under President Trump. Initially, Biden had put the ban on hold until a bipartisan bill passed through both the House and Senate. The outcome of this legal battle will have significant implications for TikTok’s operations in the US.
In conclusion, TikTok’s potential move to route users to its website for purchasing coins instead of using in-app purchases could be seen as an attempt to save on commissions paid to Apple. While this feature may not be visible to all users, it seems to be targeted at those who make larger coin purchases. The situation raises questions about whether TikTok is violating Apple’s rules and what action Apple might take in response. Additionally, TikTok’s ongoing legal battles and uncertain future in the US add another layer of complexity to the situation.