Apple services had a “record-breaking year,” according to it post a blog by senior vice president Eddy Cue.
By 2025, Apple will have 850 million average weekly App Store users (from 813 million in 2024), more than $100 billion in Apple Pay merchant sales, and a 36% increase in Apple TV engagement month over month.
Apple Music also had its best year ever for listeners and new subscriber growth, which is surprising given Spotify’s long streak. dominance from the market.
Apple has less frequently disclosed figures on App Store payments over the past few years, but the company has revealed that it has now paid $550 billion to developers since its launch in 2008. paid $260 billion to developersup from a reported $200 billion in 2020.
The App Store generally takes a 30% commission from in-app purchases, although it offers small businesses (developers making less than $1 million a year) a reduced 15% fee. This part of Apple’s business has been a heavy target regulation researchwith international the court investigates for monopoly practice.
Apple Music and Apple TV are growing
Apple’s entertainment products are also making strides. Apple TV surpassed all previous viewership records in December 2025, the company said, and Apple Music achieved record highs in new listeners and subscribers.
Apple TV’s growth comes alongside the debut of new hits like “Pluribus” and “Studio,” as well as continued success like “Severance.” Apple TV also made major streaming deals with Major League Soccer and Formula 1. “F1,” an Apple TV movie about the sport, became Apple Studios’ highest-grossing film, as well as the highest-grossing film of star Brad Pitt’s career.
Techcrunch event
San Francisco
|
13-15 October 2026
Apple credits karaoke-like “Sing” features, partnerships with companies like GM and Chase, and other new developments for growth. It notes that Shazam generates more than 1 billion recognitions per month, which can lead to growth in the Music service.
But it’s possible that Apple is benefiting from the controversy surrounding Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s business ventures.
Ek investment company leads a €600 million investment at the European defense technology company Helsing, which creates AI-powered military software and attack the drone. Artists like Xiu Xiu, Sylvan Esso, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Deerhoof, and others removed their catalogs from Spotify in protest.
Spotify has faced other controversies in the past few years, from its platforming of COVID-19 misinformation via Joe Rogan’s podcast (formerly Spotify exclusive) to one pay the artist metrics.
On the other hand, Apple Music can grow because it only makes the product more suitable for some listeners (I wrote about my decision to switch from Spotify to Apple Music because I became increasingly suffocated by algorithmic recommendations).
It may be a financial decision amid an uncertain economy – Apple Music is attracting new subscribers with a free three-month offer, which comes with the purchase of the latest Apple device.