On October 22, 2026, the Federal Court of Australia ordered changes to Apple’s iOS app distribution and payment rules, with broader changes scheduled to begin in Australia on March 1, 2027. Eligible Epic apps follow a separate process: Apple must consider them after a written application and compliant submissions. The court’s judgment sets the scope and conditions for each order.
What the court found about Apple Inc
The court declared that Apple Inc contravened section 46(1) of Australia’s Competition and Consumer Act 2010 from November 6, 2017. The declaration concerns Apple’s substantial market power in iOS app distribution and in-app payment solutions. Apple Pty Limited was separately named as a respondent; the declaration names Apple Inc as the company that contravened the law.
Which users the orders cover
Orders 2 through 11 apply to the Australian App Store storefront and users whose Apple Account is set to Australia. They do not change the U.S. App Store under those orders. The geographic scope of the operational orders is separate from the court’s declaration about Apple Inc.
Fortnite’s reinstatement follows a separate process
Under order 2, Apple must process a written application from the Epic applicants and compliant submissions for Fortnite and other eligible Epic iOS apps. Apple must permit their admission or readmission under developer agreements and review rules that are consistent with the order. This provision does not cover an alternative app store.
Epic announced on October 22 that it planned to bring Fortnite back to the Australian App Store on October 23. That announcement was separate from the broader changes to app distribution and payments, which have a later scheduled start.
| Order group | What it covers | Trigger or timing | Practical effect |
| Order 2 | Fortnite and other eligible Epic iOS apps | Written application and compliant submissions | Apple must process the submissions and permit eligible apps to be admitted or readmitted under rules consistent with the order. |
| Orders 3–11 | App distribution, payments and related treatment in Australia | Scheduled to begin at noon Melbourne time on March 1, 2027 | Allows alternative distribution and payment options under the court’s conditions. |
Security checks and payment fees
The broader orders allow app distribution through direct downloads and alternative app stores. Apps distributed through these channels must undergo automated scanning for genuine security or privacy reasons and be notarized by Apple or a suitably qualified third party. Security requirements must be necessary and proportionate, and Apple must give prior written notice explaining the risk and why the requirements are appropriate.
Developers may use payment methods other than Apple’s in-app purchase system, or IAP, and direct users to those methods. The fee rules depend on how an app is distributed. For apps in Apple’s App Store, a permitted fee on an alternative payment method is capped at the comparable fee for payments for physical goods or services, plus qualifying additional economic costs Apple genuinely and reasonably incurs. For specified purchases linked to apps distributed through an alternative channel, the order prohibits fees. The judgment does not set one general rate for all alternative payments.
Apple also cannot reject, discriminate against, retaliate against or otherwise disadvantage an app or developer because of alternative distribution, a non-IAP payment method or directions to one.
The possible extension and Apple’s response
The broader orders are scheduled to start at noon Melbourne time on March 1, 2027. Apple may apply between February 1 and February 15, 2027, with supporting evidence, to move the start to noon on May 3. That later date applies only if the court grants the application.
On October 22, Apple said it would seek a stay and appeal the outcome, citing its intellectual property and the safety and security of the App Store. Separately, Apple Inc was ordered to pay 85% of the applicants’ costs through the liability trial; costs of the hearing on relief were reserved.
