Apple: AI Giant Thanks to App Store Fees

Apple, a Major Player in AI Thanks to the App Store

Apple is on the verge of reaching a significant milestone by achieving one billion dollars in revenue related to generative AI for the first time by 2026. However, this financial windfall does not stem from its own technological innovations. In reality, it is the App Store fees paid by companies like ChatGPT, Grok, and Gemini that fuel this growth.

The iPhone plays a crucial role as a "toll road" for AI chatbots. Apple takes up to 30% of the subscription fees from apps on its platform. According to AppMagic, an analytics company, AI apps paid nearly 900 million dollars to Apple in 2025, with a significant portion coming from ChatGPT.

A Strategic Advantage for Apple

Despite efforts in AI that lag behind its competitors, Apple is capitalizing on the massive investments made by them. Siri, Apple's voice assistant, will rely on Google's Gemini after several internal failures. Nevertheless, Apple manages to benefit from advancements in AI without having to make comparable infrastructure expenditures.

A report from the Wall Street Journal highlights that Apple is well-positioned to exceed one billion dollars in AI-related revenue by 2026. The App Store fees paid by ChatGPT, Grok, Claude, and Gemini constitute the primary source of this revenue.

The iPhone, an Essential Channel for Chatbots

Data from AppMagic reveals that generative AI applications contributed nearly 900 million dollars to Apple's revenue in 2025. ChatGPT alone accounts for about 75% of this amount, while Grok from xAI provides around 5%. Monthly revenues surged from approximately 35 million dollars in January 2025 to a peak of 101 million dollars in August, before declining as ChatGPT downloads slowed.

The iPhone remains a vital distribution channel for AI companies, whether they are OpenAI, Google, or Anthropic. The App Store "tax," which is about 30% in the first year and then 15% thereafter, applies to all transactions made through the platform. Although apps may encourage users to subscribe via their websites, ChatGPT does not offer a discount for this option.

A Long-Term Strategy Without Heavy Investments

Charles Rinehart, an investor at Johnson Asset Management, views this situation as a strategic advantage for Apple. By acting as a "toll road" for AI companies, Apple positions itself favorably for the future without having to match the colossal investments of competitors like Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, or Meta in chips and data centers.

However, this cautious approach is reflected in Apple's own AI initiatives. Siri continues to operate on outdated technology, and the new version will initially depend on Google's Gemini after numerous internal delays. The departure of John Giannandrea, Apple's head of AI, was made public last year. Meanwhile, OpenAI is seeking to break free from Apple's ecosystem by acquiring a hardware startup led by Jony Ive, former chief designer at Apple.