Fortnite returns to Australian App Store after court orders Apple to open platform
Epic Games' Fortnite returns to Australia's App Store following a federal court order requiring Apple to allow rival app stores and direct downloads by March 2027. The ruling, based on an August 2025 finding of market power misuse, mandates that Apple permit alternative payment methods and prevent developer penalties. Apple plans to appeal, while Epic leverages the decision to restore its presence in the only major market where it had been excluded since May.
Key points
- Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, will restore its title to the Australian App Store today after a federal court ordered Apple to accept eligible submissions.
- Justice Jonathan Beach ruled that Apple misused market power by restricting app distribution, requiring the company to allow third-party app stores and direct downloads for Australian users starting March 1, 2027.
- The 235-page decision mandates that Apple allow developers to use alternative payment systems and link to external payment methods without facing penalties or mandatory fee structures.
- Apple has confirmed it will appeal the ruling, with the option to request an extension of the implementation deadline to May 3, 2027, by February 15.
- This development resolves a years-long antitrust battle in Australia, mirroring Epic's legal strategy in the United States, and impacts all Apple Developer Program members worldwide.
- The ruling ensures that Apple cannot charge fees for purchases made through alternative payment services in apps distributed outside its primary store, altering revenue dynamics for developers.
Epic Games has announced that Fortnite will return to the Australian App Store, marking a significant shift in the region's mobile app ecosystem. This move follows a federal court order compelling Apple to allow eligible Epic apps back onto the platform. Australia was the sole major market excluded when Fortnite returned to the App Store globally in May, as Epic waited for further legal clarity regarding Apple's payment terms. The court's decision now mandates that Apple process these submissions without waiting for broader App Store changes scheduled for March 2027.
The ruling stems from a years-long antitrust battle between Epic Games and Apple. In a 235-page decision, Justice Jonathan Beach found that Apple misused its substantial market power in iOS app distribution and in-app payment solutions. The court ordered Apple to permit Australian users to install apps from third-party stores and websites, effective March 1, 2027. Developers will be able to offer alternative payment methods and link to external payment options without Apple requiring its own purchasing system alongside them. Additionally, Apple must provide developers with tools on substantially the same terms as those used for App Store distribution, preventing penalties for using competing channels.
Apple has confirmed its intention to appeal the decision, with the possibility of extending the implementation deadline to May 3, 2027, if requested by February 15. The ruling impacts all Apple Developer Program members worldwide, provided their Apple Account region is set to Australia. By limiting Apple's ability to collect fees on purchases made through alternative services, the decision aims to foster competition and potentially lower costs for consumers. This legal victory for Epic mirrors its long-running strategy in the United States, signaling a broader global shift toward more open app distribution models.
Sources
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