Judge Rules On Epic vs Apple: Apple No Longer Allowed To Collect Fees On Purchases Made Outside The App
A major decision just came down in the tech world. On April 30th 2025 a federal judge ruled that Apple can no longer collect fees on purchases made outside the App Store. This marked a huge win for Epic Games in their long run of legal battles. This ruling could change how apps work for developers and users alike.
Details of the Ruling
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers made it clear: Apple has to stop blocking developers from using external payment links. This decision comes after Apple failed to comply with a 2021 court order meant to make the App Store more competitive. The judge even criticized Apple, saying their actions were unfair and that some executives may have misled the court. You can dive into the specifics in this New York Times report. For developers, this means they can now keep more of their revenue without Apple taking a cut on outside sales.
How Epic and Apple Responded
Epic Games is celebrating. Their CEO, Tim Sweeney, called it a “big win” and hinted at bringing Fortnite back to iOS soon, according to Reuters. Apple, however, isn’t happy. They’re planning to appeal the decision, though they’ll follow the ruling for now. Over on X, opinions are split. Some cheer for Epic, while others wonder how Apple will adjust. For more gaming updates, check out Total Apex Gaming’s news page.
What This Means Moving Forward
This ruling could be a turning point. Developers might earn more, which could lead to better apps or lower prices for users. It might also push other companies, like Google, to rethink their app store policies. But with Apple’s appeal looming, the story isn’t over. Learn more about the juicy details in TechCrunch’s breakdown. For a closer look at app store debates, see this Total Apex Gaming analysis.
The court also raised concerns about Apple’s honesty, with possible contempt charges on the table. The details are in this CNBC article. For the latest on this Epic v. Apple saga, read MacRumors’ take.
