Apple faces antitrust complaint in China over App Store monopoly

A group of 55 iPhone and iPad users has filed a collective complaint against Apple with China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR).

The plaintiffs accuse the company of abusing its dominant position in the iOS app distribution market, Reuters reports, citing attorney Wang Qiongfei, who represents the group.

According to the complaint, Apple maintains a monopoly over iOS app distribution in China by charging commissions of up to 30% on in-app purchases and App Store transactions. Users point out that in other markets, including the European Union and the United States, Apple has allowed alternative app stores and third-party payment systems under regulatory pressure but no such changes have been made in China.

Apple has not yet commented on the complaint. Reuters notes that Wang previously filed a similar case in 2021, which was dismissed by a court in 2024. The attorney is now appealing that decision.

Experts believe that if the complaint moves forward, Chinese regulators could, for the first time, directly challenge Apple’s App Store distribution model — one that has so far remained largely untouched despite tighter scrutiny of other digital platforms in the country.