Apple defeats a total ban on charging a commission for web purchases that are linked from within iOS apps, but the court says a fair rate must be set or agreed upon before Apple can resume taking a cut on linked-out purchases.
In Epic Games v. Apple, the court held that Apple violated anti-steering rules by applying a 27% commission on web-based purchases that originated from iOS apps.
As a result, Apple was barred from applying any commission on those link-out purchases.
Today’s ruling, however, rejects the notion of an outright ban on commissions. The court found that such commissions shouldn’t be prohibitive, describing Apple’s 27% rate as one that aims to discourage the use of external links.
Even so, the decision does not authorize Apple to continue charging a commission on linked-out purchases yet. Rather, the court encourages Apple and Epic Games to negotiate a rate or for the court to set a fair policy.
Another nuance from the April decision (linked here) is that Apple may require buttons, links, and calls to action to be no larger or more prominent than Apple’s in-app purchase options.
Epic already presents its in-app purchase alternative links in the same style as Apple’s IAP option.
The April decision had reopened the door for Epic Games to offer Fortnite in the U.S. App Store for iPhone and iPad. This week, Fortnite ranked among the most downloaded apps of 2025, according to Apple.
You can read today’s court decision in full here.
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