The ruling stemmed from the Epic Games v. Apple lawsuit, where Judge Gonzalez Rogers found Apple’s anti-steering rules—preventing developers from directing users to alternative payment methods—non-compliant with her earlier injunction. “Apple’s continued attempts to interfere with competition will not be tolerated,” she stated, as reported by Reuters. The court barred Apple from charging commissions on external purchases, restricting link formatting, or discouraging users with warning messages about third-party payments. Apple’s updated guidelines, first noted by 9to5Mac, now allow developers to include buttons, links, and calls to action for external payments without special entitlements.
Apple issued a statement to The Verge, saying, “We strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the court’s order and we will appeal.” The company also emailed developers to inform them of the changes, ensuring compliance while maintaining its appeal. The ruling has broader implications, as global App Store policies often mirror U.S. standards, potentially affecting developers worldwide if the appeal fails.
Epic Games’ Victory and Industry Impact
Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, celebrated the ruling as a win for developers and consumers. CEO Tim Sweeney told reporters, “It forces Apple to compete with other payment services rather than blocking them,” per Reuters. Epic plans to return Fortnite to the U.S. App Store next week, leveraging the new guidelines. Sweeney also proposed a “peace deal” to Apple, urging the company to eliminate commissions on external payments globally, though Apple’s response suggests negotiations are unlikely.
The ruling disrupts Apple’s revenue model, which relies on a 30% commission for in-app purchases (15% for Small Business Program members). Previously, Apple imposed a 27% fee on external purchases, a move criticized by Epic as “commercially unusable.” The court’s decision to eliminate these fees could lower costs for developers, potentially reducing prices for users. However, Apple argues that its commissions fund the App Store’s infrastructure, including security and developer tools.
Challenges and Criticisms
The past 24 hours have been turbulent for Apple. Alongside the court ruling, its Q2 2025 earnings of $95.4 billion, while beating Wall Street expectations, faced analyst skepticism. Some attributed the results to consumers rushing to buy before tariffs, as noted by AppleInsider. CEO Tim Cook also revealed a manufacturing shift, with half of U.S.-bound iPhones now produced in India, minimizing reliance on China amid tariff pressures.
Internally, the ruling exposed divisions. Judge Gonzalez Rogers criticized Cook for ignoring App Store chief Phil Schiller’s advice to avoid external purchase fees, instead following CFO Luca Maestri’s lead. “Cook chose poorly,” she wrote, per The Verge, accusing Apple of defying the injunction to protect billions in revenue. She referred Apple and executive Alex Roman to federal prosecutors for a criminal contempt investigation, escalating the stakes.
What’s Next for Developers and Users
The updated guidelines empower developers to bypass Apple’s payment system, offering more flexibility in pricing and subscription models. Posts on X reflect developer enthusiasm, with one user noting, “External payments? Allowed. NFT links? Allowed,” highlighting the newfound freedom. However, Apple’s appeal could delay or reverse these changes, and its warnings about external payment risks may still influence user behavior.
For users, the ruling could mean cheaper in-app purchases, as developers avoid Apple’s commissions. Yet, the transition may introduce complexity, with apps potentially offering dual pricing—one for in-app purchases and another for external payments. Developers must now navigate these options while ensuring compliance with Apple’s security and transparency standards.
Apple faces a delicate balance: maintaining its ecosystem’s integrity while adapting to legal pressures. The outcome of its appeal and potential global policy shifts will shape the App Store’s future, impacting millions of developers and users. For now, the guidelines mark a step toward a more open ecosystem, driven by judicial mandate rather than corporate choice.
