Longtime Apple executive Phil Schiller is stepping down from his role as head of the App Store, according to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Schiller, who has been with Apple for over 30 years, will remain with the company in a new role as an Apple Fellow, where he will work on unspecified projects. His departure comes after a period of significant change at Apple, including the recent appointment of new CEO John Ternus and services chief Eddy Cue, who are focused on improving the company’s financial performance and increasing recurring revenue. Schiller’s decision to step down is partly attributed to a desire to spend more time with his family and to focus on philanthropy. However, the move may also be influenced by the evolving dynamics within Apple’s leadership. Ternus and Cue are reportedly working to enhance the App Store’s profitability, which has long been a point of contention. The App Store, a central platform for Apple’s ecosystem, has faced criticism from developers over its revenue-sharing model, where Apple takes a 15-30% cut of all app sales and in-app purchases. Apple’s handling of the App Store has been the subject of legal disputes and regulatory scrutiny in multiple countries. Developers have argued that the company’s policies stifle competition and unfairly benefit Apple at their expense. Schiller, who played a key role in shaping the App Store’s policies over the years, reportedly believed that efforts to increase profits from the App Store could lead to more conflicts with governments and developers. This concern may have contributed to his decision to step back from the role and avoid being involved in these potentially contentious efforts. Schiller’s departure marks a significant transition for Apple as it navigates the challenges of maintaining its dominance in the app economy while addressing growing concerns from both developers and regulators. His legacy at Apple includes overseeing the launch of major products like the iPhone and iPad, and his influence on the App Store has left a lasting impact on the tech industry. As Apple moves forward, the company will need to balance profitability with the need to maintain a positive relationship with the developer community.