Australia’s federal court orders Apple to open its mobile platform
Epic Games has announced Fortnite’s return to the Australian App Store on Thursday, while Apple plans to seek a pause in the court order and appeal.
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Epic Games has announced Fortnite’s return to the Australian App Store on Thursday, while Apple plans to seek a pause in the court order and appeal.
Australia’s federal court has ordered Apple to open its mobile operating system, iOS, after finding that the company violated competition law. Apple must allow iPhone users with Australian Apple Accounts to install apps from competing stores and directly from websites from 1 March 2027, alongside new payment choices.
The order follows Justice Jonathan Beach’s ruling reported by ABC on 12 August 2025. Under the Australian rules ABC described, Apple prohibited rival app stores on its devices, prevented direct app downloads outside its App Store and required developers to use its payment platform. Beach found that those restrictions harmed competition. Fortnite had been removed from Apple’s store in 2020 after offering its own in-app payment system, bypassing Apple’s system and commission.
The March deadline is not automatically deferred. Apple has until 15 February 2027 to request an extension to 3 May 2027, and the court must approve that request.
Alongside installation from websites and competing stores, the order requires the following changes:
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These requirements concern Australia, not a worldwide opening of Apple’s platform. Beach rejected Epic’s request to extend the orders globally. Apple does not have to distribute competing marketplaces through its own App Store, and it may retain security scanning and notarization requirements—checks on apps distributed outside its store. The order also restricts Apple’s ability to turn off apps installed outside the App Store.
The court also ordered Apple to pay 85% of Epic’s legal costs through the original trial. It reserved its decision on costs for the later hearings over remedies.
A separate requirement to readmit Fortnite and other eligible Epic Games apps takes effect immediately, rather than in March 2027. Apple must act when it receives Epic’s written application, provided the apps comply with applicable developer rules.
On 21 October, Epic Games announced that its shooter game Fortnite would return to the Australian App Store on 22 October.
Apple said it disagreed with many of the court’s findings. A spokesperson told Reuters that the company would request a stay—a court order pausing enforcement—and appeal the outcome. Apple said its challenge would seek to protect its intellectual property and the safe, secure App Store experience it says consumers and developers expect.
Apple’s statement describes planned legal action, not a pause granted by the court. The order sets 1 March 2027 for the wider distribution and payment changes; any extension to 3 May requires court approval.
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Correction ·
Corrected the wording of the English and Armenian versions.
Update ·
The court sets a 1 March 2027 deadline for alternative app distribution and payments, restricts fees and transaction reporting, and requires Apple to readmit eligible Epic Games apps upon written application.