Image Source: Visual China

BEIJING, May 26 (TMTPOST) — Registered developers from Greater China on Apple’s App Store have reached five million, according to an announcement on Apple’s website.

Apple said in the announcement that thousands of small development teams joined the App Store in 2021, 23% of which were from mainland China.

App Store’s advantage in distribution allows app developers’ applications to reach users in 175 countries and regions, the company said in a statement. In 2021, overseas users contributed 40% of downloads for small app developers.

Apple said that it has provided tools, resources and support for over 30 million registered developers to date, helping them develop and produce applications for one billion customers on Apple’s platform.

In the announcement, Apple mentioned that app developers on its platform enjoy the chances of joining the App Store’s small-sized enterprise scheme that will reduce the commission on the App Store to 15% for developers. It is said that the scheme is designed to help small development teams and independent developers with annual revenues of less than one million dollars unleash their potential.

It is worth noting that Apple has been under criticism for its App Store policy. Apple defended its App Store policy on Wednesday, saying that the App Store has created massive employment opportunities for developers and brought in sizable income for developers.

Apple cited a report from third-party market research firm Analysis Group and pointed out that developers that make less than one million dollars a year on the App Store had enjoyed an income surge of 113% between 2019 and 2021. In the United States, the figure has been 118%.　　

Apple also said that its App Store created 2.2 million jobs in the United States and that 90% of developers are considered small-sized companies.