In a major win for Epic Games, a U.S. judge ruled on April 30, 2025, that Apple broke a 2021 court order meant to make its App Store fairer. The order told Apple to let app developers guide users to payment options outside the App Store, avoiding Apple’s fees. Instead, Apple added new rules, like a 27% fee on outside purchases and warning screens that scared users away from external payments. The judge called this a deliberate move to keep billions in profits and said Apple’s actions were “anticompetitive.”
The court now bans Apple from charging fees on external purchases or blocking developers from linking to other payment options. Apple can’t control how developers design these links or track user activity outside apps. The judge also referred Apple’s case to federal prosecutors for possible criminal charges, pointing to false statements made by Apple’s finance vice-president, Alex Roman. Apple plans to follow the new rules but will appeal the decision.
This ruling could bring Fortnite back to iPhones and iPads worldwide, as Epic Games is ready to return if Apple follows the court’s orders. Epic’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, celebrated the decision, saying it ends Apple’s high fees, similar to changes in Europe. The case shows Apple’s ongoing struggle to balance its App Store control with growing demands for fair competition.