Apple updates App Store guidelines: apps can let users view their NFTs, as long as NFT ownership doesn't unlock in-app features, and browse others' collections
Apple has repeatedly used App Store guideline revisions to define what functionality can reach iOS users, from clarifying in-app-purchase rules to requiring game-streaming titles to be distributed as individual downloads. The NFT language adds a narrowly drawn permission: display and collection browsing are allowed, while ownership-based in-app utility is not.
That distinction matters because it separates NFT apps that function as viewers or galleries from apps that turn a token into access, features, or other app functionality. It fits the App Store's established role as the gatekeeper for how digital goods are presented and used on iOS.
First-order effects
NFT app developers can offer collection viewing and browsing on the App Store, but must keep token ownership from unlocking in-app features.
Apple retains control over NFT-linked utility on iOS: apps that rely on ownership as an access mechanism must redesign that interaction or remain outside the permitted model.
Second-order effects
NFT marketplaces and creators gain an iOS discovery surface for collections, while apps built around token-gated experiences face a weaker reason for users to engage inside the app.
If Apple continues to permit viewing while limiting ownership-based functionality, mobile NFT products may split between App Store-compliant discovery tools and token-utility experiences delivered through other channels.
The broader pattern is platform governance shifting from broad category bans toward granular controls over the specific actions digital ownership may enable inside an app.
The trend: App-store policy is evolving toward selective access for emerging digital-asset features, with platform operators defining the boundary between display, discovery, and utility.
Apple updated their App Store Review Guideline to prohibit NFT as a means to bypass Apple's in-app purchase mechanism > Apps may allow users to view their own NFTs, provided that NFT ownership does not unlock features or functionality within the app https://developer.apple.com/ .…
Who does this hurt the most? Game developers embracing Web3, NFTs, crypto, etc. Why would Apple focus on this? Follow the money. 60-70% of Apple's App Store revenue comes from gaming. Web3 threatens that.
In other words, Apple specifically *prohibits* developers from offering tools that displease other companies' shareholders, no matter whether this pleases Apple *customers*: https://developer.apple.com/ ... 55/
Apple now has rules explicitly okay'ing NFTs within iOS apps but only if it gets the App Store cut on sales. https://developer.apple.com/ ... https://twitter.com/...
Interesting. Seems like Apple is potentially aiming to cut off Reddit and other using NFTs as a workaround for their store. As much as I love Apple, I'm bigger on antitrust, and this is just building the case against some of their App Store approaches imo. https://twitter.com/...
What fresh hell is this, Apple? 🤨 To paraphrase: if your app uses an open web protocol to provide extra features for your users, it will be removed from the App Store as it jeopardizes the walled garden and 30% fees. The timing with Reddit's recent sale is curious. https://twitte…
Apple has reached a point of being a bad-faith operator. Is anyone even gonna bother to explain what makes this an in-app purchase? Obvi it's the 30% cut, but I mean cmon it just is contempt for the truth at this point. https://twitter.com/...
Make no mistake about it - Apple is now the largest threat to Web3 with their most recent App Store Guidelines that they published today. Apps Are Bullshit Part Deux. A thread below on the implications this has for Web3 & Crypto 🧵
So we're clear, NFTs are so useless that apple has to ban some of their use-cases because competition, which proves they're useless https://twitter.com/...
sorry @apple, i will not be token-gated from your @AppStore my pronoun is “digital collectible” https://developer.apple.com/ ... https://twitter.com/...
All of those alleged “use cases” for NFTs (which were all bullshit anyways) just got banned from the App Store. This web3 nonsense is over. https://9to5mac.com/...
Damn so any of those promoted posts presumably Apple take their cut. Between this, first time price increases and the NFT news this shows Apple isn't playing around and wants their money https://twitter.com/...
Meanwhile @Apple trying to strengthen walls of their garden. They can do it right now cuz Web3 users are still small in number. Once we reach a critical mass, users are going to put massive pressure on Apple to either enable more freedom or GTFO https://decrypt.co/...
It continues to baffle me that anyone accords the manufacturer this much control over their own device. Can anyone argue with a straight face that this protects anything other than Apple's bottom line? https://twitter.com/...
Apple cracking down on NFT use inside apps is a prime example of how easy it is to forget the power central gatekeepers have today Going to be hard for NFTs to provide more functionality if the if only apps that can support them need to be sideloaded onto an Android phone https:/…