What does Attachment 14 change for developers with apps in the EU?

An attachment is a numbered addendum that isolates a specific policy area so the core license stays stable while regional or functional rules shift. Attachment 14 is the fourteenth such addendum. It targets only apps offered in the European Union.

The agreement itself is a contract between Apple and each enrolled developer. Acceptance is mandatory to keep an active account. When a new attachment arrives, developers must sign in to the Apple Developer portal and accept the revised terms. The announcement instructs developers to review the changes and sign in to accept. It does not describe what happens if a developer declines.

What the three categories cover

Alternative distribution. Alternative payments. Business terms. The announcement names these three categories inside Attachment 14. It does not define any of the three phrases. It does not quote the attachment text. It does not link to the full attachment text in the news post. A separate page hosts the full agreement with a direct anchor to Attachment 14.

The first category refers to the ability to offer iOS apps through marketplaces other than the App Store. Alternative payments refers to the ability to use payment processors other than Apple's in-app purchase system. Business terms refers to the commercial conditions — fees, reporting, audit rights — that apply when a developer chooses either alternative. The announcement groups them together without ranking or sequencing.

Timeline and translation schedule

The effective date is October 1, 2026. The announcement date is August 18, 2026. That leaves a window of roughly forty-three days. Translations of the updated agreement will appear on the Apple Developer website within one month. The announcement does not specify which languages. It does not say whether the English version is the controlling text. It does not say whether developers must accept the English version before translations appear.

Developers who operate in the EU must accept the new terms before the effective date to continue distributing apps there. The announcement does not state whether acceptance is retroactive for apps already on the store. It does not mention a grace period after October 1. It does not mention enforcement mechanics such as app removal or account suspension.

What the notice leaves out

No fee percentage for alternative distribution appears in the notice. No fee percentage for alternative payments appears either. Technical integration steps for third-party marketplaces are absent. Technical integration steps for third-party payment processors are absent. Notarization requirements for apps distributed outside the App Store go unmentioned. Malware scanning or platform integrity checks for alternative distribution go unmentioned. Data portability or interoperability obligations go unmentioned. Whether the terms apply to apps that target only non-EU storefronts but are downloaded by EU users traveling abroad goes unmentioned.

The Digital Markets Act is not referenced by name. No regulation, directive, or court order is cited. The European Commission is not mentioned. No pending litigation is mentioned. Whether Apple considers the terms compliant or whether they are offered under protest is not mentioned.

Next steps for a developer with an active account

Sign in to the Apple Developer account portal. Locate the updated license agreement. Read Attachment 14 in full. Decide whether to accept. If you accept, click the acceptance button. If you do not accept, your ability to distribute apps in the EU may be affected. The announcement does not say exactly how. It does not say whether you can continue to distribute existing apps without updates. It does not say whether you can opt out of the EU market entirely while keeping your account active for other regions.

Translations arrive within one month. That means they could appear as late as September 18, 2026. The effective date remains October 1 regardless of translation availability. Developers who rely on a non-English version must either wait for the translation or work from the English text. The announcement does not offer guidance on this choice.

The attachment is live now. The clock is running.