Apple’s EU App Store Starts Showing Warnings for Apps With External Payment Systems

Apple is not playing nice with iOS developers who have started using third-party payment systems in their apps instead of Apple’s in-app purchase systems. Earlier this week, multiple X users (via The Verge) reported that the App Store listing for Instacar, an app from a Hungarian developer that’s not available in the US, now shows a red warning sign at the top with a message that may discourage users from downloading it.

“This app does not support the App Store private and secure payment system. It uses external purchases,” the warning message at the top of the app’s listing reads. The wording suggests that users making payments in the app may be at risk because they won’t be using the App Store’s payment system. That’s quite a borderline statement, but not too surprising coming from a company trying really hard to protect its walled garden.

first time seeing this. Apple will punish the apps with external payment system pic.twitter.com/MBeqi8huW5

— Viktor Maric (@maric_viktor) May 12, 2025

The linked support page in the message provides information about alternative payment options on the EU App Store. Here, Apple makes it clear that it’s “not responsible for the privacy or security of transactions” made in these apps, adding that developers will be responsible for all customer care issues.

Instacar currently has a 4.8/5 rating on the App Store, so it could be potentially penalized by this warning message. Overall, this is not a good look for Apple, which may be seen as discouraging developers from implementing alternative payment systems in their apps.

Last year, the EU’s Digital Markets Act forced Apple to allow external purchases in apps on the App Store as well as alternative app distribution systems. Regarding app distribution, the new EU law also aims to stop gatekeepers like Apple from using “scare screens” that may prevent users from exploring alternatives to Apple’s ecosystem.

Ultimately, the EU Commission may determine that these warning messages in the EU App Store are violating the DMA, which could expose Apple to fines. The EU regulator has already fined the company €500 million as its App Store anti-steering rules breached the new legislation.