The long-running legal war between Apple and Epic Games has taken another dramatic turn. On May 6, the US Supreme Court refused Apple’s request to temporarily block a lower court ruling that found the iPhone maker violated court-ordered reforms to its App Store practices.
The decision marks a major setback for Apple and could reshape how app developers handle payments on iPhones in the future.
Credits: PYMNTS
Supreme Court Refuses to Shield Apple
The US Supreme Court, through Justice Elena Kagan, declined Apple’s request to pause a ruling issued by the San Francisco-based Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
That appeals court had earlier upheld a contempt finding against Apple, stating that the tech giant failed to comply with a previous injunction linked to Epic Games’ antitrust lawsuit.
The Supreme Court’s refusal means Apple must now head back to federal court in Oakland, California, where the company will continue fighting over how much commission it can legally charge developers for transactions made outside the App Store ecosystem.
Apple had hoped the Supreme Court would delay those proceedings while it pursued a broader appeal. Instead, the company now faces immediate legal pressure.
The Battle That Started With Fortnite
The conflict dates back to 2020, when Epic Games — the maker of the hugely popular video game Fortnite — sued Apple over its App Store policies.
Epic accused Apple of maintaining an illegal monopoly by forcing developers to use Apple’s payment system and charging commissions of up to 30% on digital purchases.
While Apple largely won the original lawsuit in 2021, the court ordered the company to allow developers to include links directing users to alternative payment methods outside the App Store.
That ruling was viewed as a crack in Apple’s tightly controlled ecosystem.
Apple’s 27% Commission Sparked New Legal Trouble
After the injunction, Apple technically allowed developers to use external payment links. However, it introduced new rules that Epic argued undermined the spirit of the court order.
Most controversially, Apple imposed a 27% commission on purchases made outside the App Store if users completed the transaction within seven days of clicking an external link.
For developers, the difference between Apple’s traditional 30% fee and the new 27% charge was seen as minimal.
Epic claimed Apple was effectively trying to preserve its App Store dominance while pretending to comply with the court’s ruling.
In 2025, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers agreed with Epic and found Apple in civil contempt for violating the injunction.
Tim Sweeney Celebrates the Outcome
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney quickly celebrated the Supreme Court’s latest decision.
“The Supreme Court has considered Apple’s delaying motion and found it unworthy,” Sweeney said in a statement.
Epic now plans to push for deeper scrutiny of Apple’s App Store operations. According to Sweeney, Apple may soon have to disclose the actual costs involved in reviewing apps that use competing payment systems so developers can be charged fairly.
That could become a crucial issue in determining what level of commission Apple can still justify charging.
Why This Matters Beyond Apple and Epic
The case has evolved into one of the most closely watched antitrust battles in the global tech industry.
At stake is not just Apple’s App Store business model, but also the broader question of how much control large tech platforms should have over digital commerce.
Apple warned the Supreme Court that the lower court’s decision could influence how millions of app purchases are handled and affect markets worldwide.
“Regulators around the world are watching this case,” Apple argued in court filings.
Governments in regions including Europe, South Korea, and Japan have already increased scrutiny of app store payment systems and platform commissions.
If US courts ultimately force Apple to significantly loosen its control, it could trigger similar demands globally.
Credits: New York Post
A Crucial Phase Ahead
The legal fight is far from over, but the Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene gives Epic Games fresh momentum.
Apple continues to deny violating the original injunction and argues the court order should not automatically apply to millions of developers beyond Epic itself.
Still, the latest ruling places the company back under the spotlight at a time when regulators worldwide are increasingly challenging the power of Big Tech platforms.
For developers, consumers, and the wider app economy, the outcome of this courtroom battle could redefine the future of digital payments on smartphones for years to come.
