Court orders Apple to open iPhone to competing stores

An Australian federal court has ordered Apple to open the iPhone to competing app stores, following a legal battle with Epic Games. The ruling means users will be able to download apps from outside the App Store and use alternative payment methods. Apple has announced it will appeal.

An Australian federal court has ordered Apple to open the iPhone to competing app stores, following a legal battle waged against it by Fortnite game maker Epic Games. The ruling means users will be able to download apps from third-party stores and even directly from websites, a process known as side-loading, starting in March 2027. Additionally, Apple will be required to allow developers to use alternative payment systems within apps and add links to external payment methods, which could lower prices. The verdict is a victory for Epic Games, which was removed from the App Store in 2020. Apple has announced it will appeal the decision. The article notes that the ruling joins a global trend of regulators challenging the power of tech giants.