In a major development for app developers and digital consumers, Apple has been ordered to continue allowing external payment links within apps on its App Store platform. The decision comes after a U.S. appeals court denied Apple’s emergency motion to halt a previous ruling that would require the tech giant to let developers guide users to alternative payment options.
This legal saga began with a high-profile lawsuit filed by Epic Games in 2020 challenging Apple’s strict control over in-app payments and communication policies. Although Epic only won a partial victory in the original case, one important outcome was that Apple was ordered to allow developers to inform users about cheaper payment options outside of the App Store.
In April 2025, a federal judge found Apple to be in continued noncompliance with that directive and issued a clearer, more forceful order. This required Apple to not only allow, but also stop restricting the formatting of such external links.Apple responded by appealing and seeking a stay of the Court’s enforcement order until the full legal process was completed. However, the Appeals Court denied the request, stating that Apple had not proven that it would suffer irreparable harm or that staying the order would be in the public interest.
As a result, major platforms such as Spotify, Kindle and even Epic’s own Fortnite have taken advantage of the ruling by including direct web links in their apps. These allow users to complete purchases outside of Apple’s payment system – transactions from which Apple previously took a commission of up to 30%.Epic CEO Tim Sweeney revealed that the use of Apple’s in-app payment system and Epic’s alternative is currently split at a ratio of 60-40, which favors Apple. Still, this change represents a significant shift in user freedom and developer flexibility.
However, Apple is firm on its position. “We are disappointed by the District Court’s decision not to stay the order,” Apple spokeswoman Olivia Dalton said. “We will continue to present our arguments during the appeal. We believe the App Store provides a safe and trusted experience for users and a strong opportunity for developers.” With this decision, the momentum could shift in favor of app makers who have long been demanding more openness from a digital marketplace dominated by tech giants.
