Apple Restores Fortnite to Australia’s App Store After Court Ruling

WHO:

9to5Mac - Justice Jonathan Beach said Apple held “a substantial degree of power” in the iOS app-distribution and in-app-payment markets.

Engadget - Apple and Epic Games are involved in the Australian App Store dispute.

Techmeme (Reuters) - Epic Games said Fortnite would return to Apple’s App Store in Australia.

WHAT:

9to5Mac - The court found that Apple’s restrictions included blocking app downloads and installations outside the App Store, requiring Apple’s in-app payment system, prohibiting links to alternative payments, and preventing developers from handling refunds directly.

9to5Mac - Justice Beach said Apple’s refusal to allow Epic Direct Pay, Fortnite’s removal from the App Store, and termination of Epic’s developer account were “a paradigm example of Apple’s enforcement of its restrictive terms, in contravention of” section 46 of Australia’s Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

9to5Mac - The judge rejected Epic’s request to extend the court’s injunctions worldwide.

9to5Mac - In a 235-page decision, the court ordered Apple to allow alternative payment systems, external payment links, and access to developer tools for alternative app distribution; it also restricted fees and other barriers.

9to5Mac - The court ordered Apple to readmit Fortnite and other eligible Epic apps upon receiving Epic’s written application; this requirement takes effect immediately and is not subject to the March 2027 deadline.

9to5Mac - The court barred Apple from requiring developers to report transactions through alternative payment providers or offer Apple’s payment system alongside alternatives.

9to5Mac - The judge allowed Apple to retain security scanning and notarization requirements, and ruled it need not distribute competing app marketplaces through its own App Store.

9to5Mac - Apple said it would “request a stay and appeal” to protect its intellectual property and the App Store’s “safe, secure experience.”

9to5Mac - Apple must pay 85% of Epic’s legal costs through the original trial; costs from later remedies hearings remain undecided.

Techmeme (9to5Mac) - The ruling requires Apple to let Australian iPhone users install apps from third-party app stores.

Techmeme (9to5Mac) - Apple plans to appeal the ruling.

Engadget - Fortnite is back on Apple’s App Store in Australia.

Engadget - A federal court ordered Apple to open its iOS ecosystem to competition.

Techmeme (Reuters) - Epic said, “Fortnite is coming back to the App Store in Australia tomorrow.”

Techmeme (Reuters) - The report described Fortnite as a shooter title and identified Apple’s stock ticker as AAPL.O.

WHERE:

Engadget - The App Store restoration took place in Australia.

Techmeme (Reuters) - The Australian federal court ruling concerned Apple’s iOS ecosystem and App Store in Australia.

WHEN:

9to5Mac - Apple has until February 15 to request a court-approved extension, potentially until May 3, 2027.

Techmeme (9to5Mac) - Apple must allow third-party app-store installations starting March 1, 2027.

WHY:

9to5Mac - Section 46 of Australia’s Competition and Consumer Act 2010 prohibits corporations with substantial market power from conduct that has the purpose or effect of substantially lessening competition.

Techmeme (9to5Mac) - The ruling followed a years-long antitrust battle with Epic Games.

Engadget - Fortnite returned after a federal court ordered Apple to open its iOS ecosystem to competition.

Techmeme (Reuters) - An Australian federal judge ordered Apple to open iOS in an antitrust case.

HOW:

Engadget - The court ruling required Apple to open its iOS ecosystem to competition.

Techmeme (Reuters) - Epic announced the planned return of Fortnite to Apple’s Australian App Store.

(UPDATED October 23, 2026 02:15 UTC)

An Australian federal court has ordered Apple to open parts of its iPhone ecosystem to competition, finding the company held substantial power in app distribution and in-app payments. The ruling requires Apple to allow alternative payment systems, links to outside payments, and tools for distributing apps through third-party stores. Apple cannot require developers to report transactions made through alternative providers or offer Apple’s payment system alongside them. The judge said Apple’s restrictions and its removal of Fortnite violated Australia’s competition law, but rejected Epic Games’ request to extend the injunctions worldwide. Apple may keep security checks and does not have to distribute rival marketplaces in its own App Store. The court also ordered Apple to restore Fortnite and other eligible Epic apps after a written request; Fortnite is back in Australia. Apple plans to seek a stay and appeal. Third-party app installations must be allowed starting March 1, 2027.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 17:13 UTC)

An Australian federal court has ordered Apple to open its iPhone ecosystem to more competition, ruling that the company held substantial power over app distribution and payments. The decision requires Apple to allow third-party app stores, alternative payment systems and external payment links, while restricting fees and other barriers. Apple cannot force developers to report alternative-payment transactions or offer Apple’s payment option alongside them. The judge did let Apple keep security checks and ruled it need not carry competing app marketplaces in its own store. Fortnite has returned to Apple’s App Store in Australia, and Apple must readmit eligible Epic apps upon receiving a written application. That requirement takes effect immediately. Broader third-party app-store installations are required from March 1, 2027. Apple says it will seek a stay and appeal, and must cover 85 percent of Epic’s legal costs through the original trial.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 10:12 UTC)

Fortnite is back on Apple’s App Store in Australia, following a federal court ruling that orders Apple to open its iOS ecosystem to competition. The decision came after a years-long antitrust battle between Apple and Epic Games. It requires Apple to let Australian iPhone users install apps from third-party app stores, starting March 1, 2027. Apple plans to appeal the ruling. Epic had announced that Fortnite would return to the Australian store, saying the game was coming back the next day. The court’s decision concerns Apple’s control over app distribution on iPhones in Australia. With the ruling, users there will be able to access app stores beyond Apple’s own, while the appeal proceeds.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 09:08 UTC)

Fortnite is back on Apple’s App Store in Australia, following a federal court ruling that opened the way for more competition in Apple’s iOS ecosystem. The order came from an Australian federal judge in an antitrust case involving Apple and Epic Games. Epic announced that the popular shooter would return to the store, and it said the game was coming back the following day. Apple’s App Store restoration in Australia marks a change after the court required the company to open its iOS platform to competition. The dispute centers on how Apple controls app distribution through its mobile operating system and store. Epic’s announcement confirmed Fortnite’s return in Australia, while the court’s decision provided the basis for that move.