U.S. Court Denies Apple's Bid to Delay App Store Changes
The era of total platform control is slipping, one ruling at a time.
Apple’s fight to keep its grip on the App Store just hit another wall. After a U.S. court forced the tech giant to allow developers to include external purchase links in their apps, the company requested a legal pause from the Ninth Circuit Court, hoping to delay enforcement while it prepared an appeal. The court said no.
To get a pause, Apple needed to prove its appeal would likely succeed and that it would suffer irreparable harm without the pause. The court also had to weigh whether other parties, like developers, would be hurt by the pause, and what outcome best served public interest.
After reviewing all those factors, the judges decided Apple didn’t make a strong enough case. The company had argued that the order was “extraordinary” and would essentially force it to give away free access to its platform and intellectual property.
Oluwaseun Bamisile
It also claimed it should still be allowed to charge commissions on external payments and control how those links appear. Without those powers, Apple says it could lose “hundreds of millions to billions” in annual revenue.
This legal setback comes as Apple faces similar pressure in Europe. Under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, Apple is required to allow third-party app stores and payment systems. And just like in the U.S., Apple’s been accused of complying in form while still trying to preserve control, adding warning screens and friction points that critics say undermine the spirit of the law.
Google, facing similar regulatory crackdowns in regions such as South Korea and India, has taken a more flexible approach by offering alternative billing options with reduced commissions. Apple, by contrast, continues to fight for full control.
Even after updating its U.S. rules, Apple now charges developers 12% to 27% fees for using external links and dictates how those links must be styled. Still, major apps like Spotify and Amazon Kindle have added external payment options, and Fortnite has returned to iOS with both Apple and Epic payment systems.
However, early reports suggest that about 60% of users still choose Apple’s payment system. The court’s latest decision doesn’t end Apple’s appeal, but it does make one thing clear: regulators and developers alike are done waiting. The era of total platform control is slipping, one ruling at a time.
Oluwaseun Bamisile
