A game emulator called Delta is leveraging the latest court decision from the Apple App Store to support its business by linking to its Patreon membership page. The update was approved for release on the U.S. App Store on Wednesday, allowing Delta users to join the Delta team’s Patreon directly from the mobile app without cutting their subscriptions.

The move comes after last week's court ruling forced Apple to fully open its App Store for external purchases after years of battle with Fortnite Maker Epic Games. Although Apple has largely won antitrust lawsuits, the judge ruled that the tech giant did not follow a court order in one key area: in-app purchases.

Apple previously reviewed which apps can be linked to its website and added screens to scare suser users rather than make purchases through an external payment mechanism. It is still charging commissions for those online sales, down 27% from the usual 30%.

Apple has since changed app store rules in the U.S. since then, after Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple failed to comply with her original ban. Businesses such as Spotify, Amazon Kindle and Patreon have updated their iOS apps to update their iOS apps to add links to their websites to their websites without having to buy with Apple Apple In-App, and can pay directly.

While this is a win for large companies that can now keep more profits by announcing Apple’s commissions, Delta’s update is an example of how the ruling can monetize mobile apps for a new business model.

This change may provide the app store with the improvements needed when standalone app development drops and more third-party apps are "sherlocks" per iOS version. Smaller developers often make a living after paying Apple a 30% commission, but now have the option to keep more profits due to expanded support for online payments.

In the updated version of the Delta Game Simulator app, the user is prompted to "Join our Patreon" from the app's settings screen. Here they can click a button to subscribe to Delta’s $3 per month Patreon membership, which offers exclusive features and other privileges to access.

The web page opens inside the app, allowing users to link their Patreon accounts and select membership tiers, such as monthly or annual. (Previously, users could only link patreon accounts in the app, but they could not subscribe directly.)

“We are now free to mention our Patryan without giving 27% of the money to Apple,” said Delta creator Riley Testut in a social media post, adding a “goodbye threat screen”, a warning to previous requests that tap users from external purchase links.

Delta still includes a way to pay through Apple's in-app purchases. However, it is hidden under the Alternative Payment Method menu on the Settings screen - an option that many users may never look for.

The option to hide pro-consumer deep in the menu layer is an advantage Apple itself has used for years.

For example, if you want to turn off Apple's personalized ads (essentially the authorized version of Apple that it needs to pop up with the "Don't Track" app), you'll have to delve into iOS settings, go to Privacy and Security, scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on Apple Ads, and then switch to personalized ads. Or, if you want to clear the app usage data that personalizes your app store experience, you must go to Settings, Apps, App Store, scroll to the bottom of the page, click Personalize Suggestions, and then tap Clear Apps for usage data on the screen.

Is Apple certainly not angry that developers adopt their own tactics?

Given that Delta's app is now approved for Apple's app reviews, it seems we'll see other Patreon-supported apps soon in the near future.