US App Store External Purchase Links: Guideline 3.1.1(a)

This is a summary of one passage in Apple’s App Review Guidelines, fetched October 9, 2026. It is not legal advice. The guidelines page we read shows no revision date, so check the live page before you rely on it. Source: App Review Guidelines.

What the guideline says

Guideline 3.1.1(a), “Link to Other Purchase Methods”, says:

“Developers may apply for entitlements to provide a link in their app to a website the developer owns or maintains responsibility for in order to purchase digital content or services. These entitlements are not required for developers to include buttons, external links, or other calls to action in their United States storefront apps.”

The same guideline limits the StoreKit External Purchase Link entitlements to specific storefronts. It adds that in all other storefronts, “except for the United States storefront, where this prohibition does not apply”, apps and their metadata may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase.

Where else the US storefront appears

• Guideline 3.1.1 (NFTs): the restriction on buttons and links applies “except for apps on the United States storefront”.
• Guideline 3.1.3 (introduction): apps in that section cannot encourage non-IAP purchase methods in the app, “except for apps on the United States storefront and as set forth in 3.1.1(a) and 3.1.3(a)”.
• Guideline 3.1.3(a), Reader apps: the External Link Account Entitlement is not required for buttons, external links, or other calls to action in United States storefront apps.

What the page does not say

The passage quoted above states no fees, commission figures or technical requirements for these links, so this post makes none. It also warns that an app engaging in misleading marketing practices, scams or fraud in relation to the entitlement “will be removed from the App Store”.

Before you change your app

Whether and how to add an outside purchase link depends on your product, your contracts and your other storefronts. Check with counsel before you ship it, and read the current guideline in full. Our App Store Small Business Program guide and the App Store rejection guide cover related store rules.

If you want a second pair of eyes on a store submission, talk to us about App Store and Play fixes.