Apple crippled its own Apple TV app on Android platforms to avoid Google Tax

It’s reported that you’re no longer able to purchase or rent movies or TV shows through the Apple TV app on Android TV. It’s speculated that it’s due to Apple avoiding Google’s 30% commission fees.

You were previously able to do so after the Apple TV app made itself available on the Android TV’s Play Store worldwide in 2021. With its availability, more people can subscribe to Apple’s streaming service without the need of purchasing an Apple device.

Besides being able to watch Apple TV’s original shows and movies—like the Oscar-nominated Coda and Emmy-winning Ted Lasso—you’re also able to purchase or rent almost every movie or tv show that isn’t readily available through a streaming service. When you rent a feature, you have 30 days to start watching it. As soon as you play your rental, your rental is available for 48 hours. Purchasing a feature, instead, will give you unlimited access to it.

With your own Apple TV box, the movies and TV shows you rent or purchase will be charged to your Apple account. However, if you’re using the Apple TV app through an Android-based platform, Apple would not be getting some of that profit. In fact, Google takes 30% commission on in-app purchases.

“We’ve updated the Apple TV app to comply with Google Play’s guidelines around purchases and rentals,” said Apple regarding the change.

This isn’t the first time that Apple and Google were involved in app-related beef. Previously, Fortnite creator Epic Games implemented its own in-app payment system that bypassed Apple and Google’s standard 30% fee. Eventually, it was made available on the Google Play Store for a short period before it got kicked out for giving users an option to pay directly within the app without going through Google.

And in 2018, Netflix stopped offering payments via iTunes for new customers. It was seen as a way to avoid the Apple tax by getting users to subscribe via a web browser.

[ SOURCE, IMAGE SOURCE ]

Related reading

Recent Posts

XPeng G6 FL RWD Standard Range to launch in Malaysia on 14 Jan

XPeng will be expanding the XPeng G6 FL line-up in Malaysia with the RWD Standard…

5 hours ago

Grok restricted in Malaysia as X fails to implement safeguards

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has directed a temporary restriction on Grok's artificial…

1 day ago

Instagram “Reset your Password” Email: Is there a Data Breach at Meta?

If you've received an email from Instagram about resetting your password, you're not alone. It…

1 day ago

Proton e.MAS 7 PHEV offers larger battery and faster DC charging speed than global model, available in three variants

The full specifications for Proton e.MAS 7 PHEV has been revealed by Proton’s New Energy…

1 day ago

Malaysia’s EV registrations more than doubled in 2025, Proton e.MAS 7 regains #1 spot in December

Registrations of electric vehicles (EVs) in Malaysia have hit an all-time high, based on the…

2 days ago

2026 Proton X70 First Look: Now Cheaper and Better!?

Just less than a year and a half after the introduction of the X70 “MC2”,…

2 days ago

This website uses cookies.