Apple Services Achieve Record Highs: $1.3 Trillion in Commerce and Ecosystem Growth

Apple reports unprecedented growth across its services division in 2025, with the App Store facilitating $1.3 trillion in commerce and Apple Pay eliminating over $1 billion in fraud.

Apple’s services division has delivered a record-breaking performance for 2025, underlining the company’s successful pivot from hardware dependence to ecosystem dominance. According to the company’s announcement, the App Store, Apple Pay, and other Apple services such as subscription offerings all hit new milestones, driven by deep integration and global expansion.

For businesses and developers in the UAE, the figures highlight the sheer scale of the Apple economy and the significant contribution of Apple's digital services. The App Store alone facilitated $1.3 trillion in commerce during 2024, with developers taking home the vast majority of billings. This growth comes as Apple continues to roll out Apple Intelligence features across its platforms, further cementing user retention.

Growth of Apple services: Apple's services division achieved record-breaking performance in 2025, driven by its diverse offerings.
App Store commerce trends: App Store commerce reached $1.3 trillion in billings and sales in 2024.
Developer earnings from Apple services: Total payments to developers have crossed $550 billion since 2008.
Apple's fintech growth & Apple Pay security features: Apple Pay is now in 89 markets and its fraud prevention capabilities eliminated over $1 billion in fraud globally.
Apple TV streaming records: Apple TV viewership statistics show a 36% jump in December 2025 year-on-year.
User base: App Store averages over 850 million weekly visitors globally.

App Store Commerce: Record Growth and Booming Economy within Apple Services

The numbers revealed by Apple demonstrate the massive financial engine behind the iPhone’s screen. Total developer earnings from Apple services have now surpassed $550 billion (approx. Dhs 2 trillion) since the App Store launched in 2008. With over 850 million average weekly visitors across 175 countries, the platform remains the primary revenue driver for mobile businesses globally.

Crucially, Apple noted that over 90% of the $1.3 trillion in facilitated commerce goes directly to developers and businesses, without Apple taking a commission. This figure includes sales of physical goods and services — like ride-hailing or food delivery — which are exempt from Apple's digital goods tax. For the tech ecosystem in MENA, where app-based services are booming, the reach of Apple's digital services remains critical for scaling.

Apple Pay Fraud Prevention and Fintech Growth in Apple Services

Apple's fintech growth continues to reshape the global payments landscape, driven significantly by Apple Pay. As one of the key Apple services, it is now active in 89 markets, including a strong presence in the UAE, and works with over 11,000 bank partners. While local alternatives and fintech competitors are growing, Apple Pay's integration remains its key advantage.

Security was a major focus of the announcement, highlighting Apple Pay's fraud prevention capabilities. The company stated that Apple Pay eliminated over $1 billion in fraud globally in 2025. Additionally, the service generated more than $100 billion in incremental sales for merchants, suggesting that users are more likely to convert when the payment process is frictionless.

Apple TV Viewership Records and Streaming Entertainment Services

Apple TV represents the company's aggressive push into media, and as a growing component of Apple services, its strategy appears to be working, as evidenced by Apple TV streaming records and encouraging viewership statistics. Viewership hours in December 2025 were up 36% compared to the previous year. This growth was fuelled by live sports expansion, including Formula 1 — a key interest for the region given the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — and original content successes.

The platform has now amassed 672 award wins, with shows like Severance and Slow Horses gaining critical acclaim. As we saw with the recent Golden Globes winners, streaming platforms are increasingly dominating the cultural conversation, and Apple is securing its seat at the table alongside Netflix and Disney+.

Future of Apple Services: What's Next?

Apple is doubling down on personalisation and health. Apple Fitness+ has expanded to 28 new countries, while Apple Music celebrates its 10th anniversary with record subscriber numbers. The introduction of Apple Invites and digital IDs in Apple Wallet (currently focused on the US) points to a future where the iPhone replaces even more physical items in our pockets.

For the UAE market, the takeaway is clear: the Apple ecosystem services are expanding, not shrinking. Whether through payment processing, app distribution, or media consumption, Apple's digital services are becoming as essential as its hardware.

FAQs

How much did App Store developers earn in 2025?

Developers have earned over $550 billion (Dhs 2 trillion) cumulatively since the App Store launched in 2008. In 2024 alone, the App Store ecosystem facilitated $1.3 trillion in total billings and sales.

Is Apple Pay available in the UAE?

Yes, Apple Pay is widely available in the UAE. It is currently active in 89 markets globally and supports cards from most major UAE banks, allowing for contactless payments in stores, apps, and on the web.

What is Apple Invites?

Apple Invites is a new service that helps users create custom invitations for events and occasions. It allows guests to RSVP from any device and includes integration with iCloud for sharing photos from the event.

How fast is Apple TV growing?

Apple TV saw significant growth in 2025, with total viewership hours in December increasing by 36% compared to the previous year. This was driven by new content releases and live sports offerings like Major League Soccer and Formula 1.

What new features came to Apple Music in 2025?

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Apple Music introduced features like Lyrics Translation, Pronunciation support, and AutoMix. It also expanded its reach through partnerships with companies like GM and TuneIn.