The surprising true story behind that viral Apple App Store payment warning
Apple clarified that warning messages appearing next to EU App Store listings using third-party payment systems are not new, contradicting recent reports suggesting they were recently added. The iPhone maker confirmed to TechCrunch that these user-disclosure screens have been live on the EU App Store since March 2024, as part of its Digital Markets Act (DMA) Compliance Plan.
The messages, which feature a red exclamation mark, warn users that the app does not support Apple’s “private and secure payment system” and instead uses external purchases. A link is provided for users to “Learn More.” The confusion surrounding the warnings appears to have stemmed from a social media post on May 12, 2025, showing an App Store listing for the EU-based app Instacar, which featured the cautionary message.
The post, made by Viktor Maric on the social network X, was widely shared and sparked outrage among users and developers, with many viewing the message as “malicious compliance” and “entitled” behavior on Apple’s part. However, Apple pointed to an earlier post from RevenueCat CEO Jacob Eiting, who noted that the disclosures are EU-only and “have been around for a while.”
Apple had initially planned to update the message in response to feedback. In August 2024, the company announced changes to its DMA plan, including revising the user disclosure screen to read: “Transactions in this app are supported by the developer and not Apple.” However, the European Commission (EC) instructed Apple to hold off on making the changes, and the existing screen remained in place.
The EC fined Apple €500 million in April 2025 for noncompliance under the DMA, a decision Apple is currently appealing. The fine and the warning messages are part of a broader context in which Apple is contesting the requirement to allow app developers to link to external payment options without paying the company’s commission, a ruling that was upheld in a court decision in favor of Fortnite maker Epic Games.