Apple vs. the Courts: What Comes Next After the App Store Shake-Up? Apple just took a major hit. However, it’s not from a rival tech company, but from a U.S. court. In late April, a federal judge ruled that Apple had willfully broken a 2021 antitrust order by keeping tight control over how developers handle payments on iOS apps.

The decision doesn’t just mark a legal loss for Apple, it signals the start of a very different future for how apps, and possibly Apple itself, will operate.

At the centre of this legal clash is Epic Games, which has been fighting Apple over what it sees as unfair control and excessive fees. And this time, Epic came out on top.

New Rules, New Players

The court didn’t just hand down a ruling, it actually forced Apple to change course immediately. Developers can now include links in their apps that direct users to external payment options. This includes crypto-based platforms and NFT marketplaces that were previously off-limits under Apple’s strict App Store rules.

For years, Apple kept a firm grip on in-app purchases, taking up to 30% in commission. That meant if you wanted to buy something in an app, Apple got its cut, even if the item had nothing to do with Apple’s services. But with this ruling, that’s over. Developers are no longer required to use Apple’s payment system, and the company can’t charge fees for payments handled outside its ecosystem.

Even though it’s not visible at first, this is a big win for the Web3 world. Apps built around blockchain technology, NFTs, and crypto now have space to grow on iOS without facing Apple’s roadblocks. This shift opens the door for a surge in mobile apps that use digital payments, including those connected to top crypto wallets that are popular with mobile users. Also, areas like play-to-earn games, token-based communities, and decentralised services will likely expand.

What This Means for Apple

This ruling doesn’t just affect crypto developers, of course, it cuts right into how Apple does business. For years, Apple built its App Store around full control of its ecosystem, which included tight rules, curated apps, and a closed payment system. That strategy worked well financially, but it’s also drawn criticism for being too restrictive.

Now, Apple has to adapt. It quietly updated its App Store guidelines after the ruling, but the tone of those changes was far from friendly. Some developers described the new language as cold or vague, as if Apple is trying to meet the bare minimum while keeping control where it can.

The problem for Apple is that the court’s message was clear. It can’t keep blocking competition. It can’t charge extra fees on off-app purchases. And it can’t try to steer users away from other payment methods through warnings or restrictions. If Apple keeps resisting, it risks more than another lawsuit. It could face criminal contempt charges.

Will Apple Play Nice or Fight Back?

One option for Apple is to fully support the ruling and build tools that make external payments safer and easier for users. That could help Apple rebuild trust and avoid more pressure from regulators. It would also show developers that Apple can be flexible without losing its identity.

But there’s another possibility. Apple might try to slow the process by updating policies just enough to stay out of trouble, while continuing to make things harder for outside payment systems. That path might work in the short run, but it risks long-term damage to the company’s reputation, especially as more countries take a closer look at Apple’s policies.

This court ruling isn’t just about who handles payments. It’s about who holds the power. For developers and the crypto world, it’s a clear win. For Apple, it’s a signal that the days of total control may be coming to an end.

How Apple responds will shape the next phase of the App Store and show whether it can stay on top by playing fair.