Apple has filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for Northern California seeking to stay a court order that requires the company to allow developers to post links to alternative payment methods in apps.
This motion follows a long legal battle with Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, which had challenged the legality of Apple’s App Store business model. While the court largely sided with Apple, it ruled that the company’s policy preventing developers from informing users about cheaper payment options outside the App Store violated California’s Unfair Competition Law.
Apple has expressed its intent to comply with the court’s ruling, yet has also filed an appeal. If the motion for a stay is granted, Apple would be able to maintain its current App Store policies until the appeal is reviewed. Several major platforms—including Kindle, Spotify, and Patreon—have already updated their U.S. apps to include alternative payment method links.
Apple Criticizes New Provisions as Overreaching
In its petition, Apple requests a delay in implementing two specific new rules:
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A ban on charging fees for purchases made through deep links.
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A ban on setting conditions related to the appearance or placement of those links in iOS apps.
Apple argues that these additions go far beyond the original 2021 court order, which only prohibited the ban on link placement. The company refers to the new requirements as “punitive,” stating that they impose legal obligations that were not previously considered in court and could result in irreparable harm. Apple estimates potential losses of “hundreds of millions or billions of dollars” annually, adds NIX Solutions.
The company further claims that the district court overstepped by violating due process and interfering with pricing practices, which Apple believes contravenes California law and the U.S. Constitution. Apple is requesting a ruling on the motion by May 28, 2025, and maintains confidence in its appeal. We’ll keep you updated as the situation develops.
Epic Games responded to Apple’s filing, describing it as a “last-ditch effort to stifle competition and continue charging unlawful fees.” The company emphasized that, since the original ruling, developers have introduced improved payment terms and user choices—developments that align with the intent of the 2021 decision. Epic added that it is working to bring Fortnite back to iPhone and iPad in the U.S. this week.