Apple Appeals Court Ruling Requiring It to Allow External Payment Links in Apps

As promised, Apple has officially filed an appeal against the recent court ruling that forces the company to allow developers to link to external payment methods within their U.S. App Store apps.

Last week, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers strongly criticized Apple for failing to comply with the court’s original order in its ongoing legal battle with Fortnite creator Epic Games. The judge ruled that Apple must permit app developers to include links and buttons directing users to alternative payment options outside of Apple’s in-app purchasing system.

This decision challenges Apple’s lucrative App Store business model in the United States, which is heavily dependent on collecting commissions from in-app purchases—such as virtual goods, subscriptions, and premium upgrades.

In her decision, Judge Rogers emphasized: “This is an injunction, not a negotiation,” condemning Apple’s attempt to bypass the order through what she described as excessive requirements and restrictive conditions. The court also accused Apple’s VP of Finance, Alex Roman, of providing false testimony under oath. The matter has now been referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for potential criminal contempt proceedings.

Following the ruling, Apple made immediate changes to its App Store guidelines for U.S. developers, accepting app updates like Spotify’s that included references to external purchasing options. Despite complying, Apple expressed strong disagreement with the ruling and confirmed its intention to appeal.

That notice of appeal was officially filed on Monday, reinforcing Apple’s commitment to contest the court’s decision.

Apple maintains that it complied with legal requirements by offering an “entitlement” system, allowing developers to apply for exceptions to App Store rules. However, it continued to impose a 27% commission on external purchases and required the use of “scare screens” — full-page warnings meant to discourage users from completing purchases outside the App Store.

As the appeals process unfolds, Apple has stated it will continue to adhere to the court’s directive.

What’s Next for Apple?

With WWDC 2025 approaching in June, some analysts speculate that Apple may introduce new incentives to keep developers using its native payment platform. One potential move could be offering lower commission rates to a broader range of developers, beyond just those in its Small Business Program.