Apple Seeks to Delay Court Order Blocking App Store Payment Fees
Cupertino, CA — Apple is pushing back against a U.S. court ruling that would prohibit the company from charging commissions on purchases made outside the App Store. The tech giant filed an emergency motion late Wednesday, asking for a partial stay on the decision, which stems from its long-running legal battle with Epic Games.
The recent decision, issued last week, ruled that Apple violated a 2021 court injunction by limiting how developers could direct users to external payment systems. The court’s order now requires Apple to:
- Allow iOS developers to link users to third-party payment systems
- Cease charging commissions on those off-platform transactions
- Remove warning pop-ups (known as “scare screens”) that discourage external payments
Apple’s Response: Legal and Financial Concerns
Apple argues the ruling overreaches the original injunction and would cause “grave irreparable harm” to its business. The company says the new restrictions would result in substantial financial losses and penalize conduct that has not been proven illegal.
Although Apple claims to have complied with the 2021 ruling—by allowing developers to add links to outside payment platforms—it has still been taking a 27% commission on those external transactions and displaying alerts discouraging users from proceeding.
Apple’s legal team emphasized that the previous injunction did not explicitly prohibit these actions because Apple had not implemented them at the time.
Developers Already Making the Switch
Despite the ongoing legal tussle, companies like Spotify and Amazon have updated their apps to redirect users to their own websites for purchases—bypassing Apple’s traditional in-app payment system entirely.
Apple has also filed an appeal against the ruling. However, without a stay, the new court order remains in effect, forcing Apple to change longstanding App Store practices.
What’s at Stake
This case marks a significant shift in app store regulation, developer freedom, and platform accountability. If Apple’s emergency request is denied, it may have to fully open the iOS ecosystem to external payment models—potentially setting a new precedent in the global tech landscape.
