Ninth Circuit Denies Apple’s Bid to Delay App Store Rule Changes
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has denied Apple’s emergency request to delay rule changes to its U.S. App Store operations, a decision with immediate implications for both developers and Apple’s longstanding control over in-app commerce. According to Bloomberg and an official order document, this move stems from the ongoing antitrust litigation with Epic Games, a case closely watched by Apple enthusiasts and the broader developer community for its implications on App Store policy and revenue models.
Developers Free to Add External Payment Links
With the court’s denial, developers such as Epic Games, Spotify, Patreon, and others can continue directing users to external web purchase options directly from their iOS apps. Notably, Apple is barred from imposing fees on purchases made outside its App Store and is prohibited from dictating or restricting the language and design choices developers use for these external purchase links. This means app makers can now present clearer alternative payment options—a major change from prior policy, which heavily favored Apple’s proprietary in-app purchase system and commission structure.
Legal Context: From Epic Games to Industry-Wide Impact
The legal backdrop involves Apple’s initial defeat in U.S. District Court, where Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found Apple in violation of anti-steering provisions, particularly for imposing a 12-27% fee on developers using external links and regulating how these links appear. Epic Games, seeking broader freedom, challenged these restrictions as the legal battle intensified. Developers and analysts note that the court’s recent enforcement order reflects a rare judicial rebuke of Apple’s historic walled-garden model, and the appeals court’s refusal to grant a stay ensures that these new policies remain effective immediately (AppleInsider).
Apple argued in filings that maintaining the status quo would result in substantial financial harm, estimating annual losses in the hundreds of millions to billions of dollars. Apple also defended the right to regulate external links as an extension of its intellectual property and business model. However, the Ninth Circuit found that Apple had not demonstrated a likelihood of prevailing on appeal or of suffering irreparable injury.
Wider Implications: Shifting Competitive and Revenue Dynamics
Industry observers compare this episode to similar regulatory challenges Apple has faced internationally, such as the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the European Union, though the U.S. context is unique in its legal process and developer relations. The court’s ruling—delivered just ahead of WWDC 2025—forces Apple to contend with increased openness and direct competition within its ecosystem at a critical moment for its engagement with the developer community.
While companies like Spotify have already moved to capitalize on the ruling by incorporating alternative payment options, Apple’s high-margin services business faces new uncertainty. Some analysts caution, however, that consumer adoption of external web payment flows remains to be seen, given the relative friction compared to native in-app purchases.
Ongoing Legal and Industry Uncertainty
Apple continues its broader legal appeal and maintains its stance, as communicated in official statements, that changes risk undermining platform security and customer trust. The current ruling compels Apple to allow external purchase links without fees or style restrictions in the U.S., but the evolving legal process and pending final appeals mean policy could shift again based on future outcomes.
For Apple enthusiasts and developers alike, this decision marks a fundamental shift in App Store governance, with the potential to reshape commerce and competition on iOS for years to come.