A U.S. federal court has officially denied Apple’s request to stay a ruling that mandates the company stop charging commissions on payments made outside the App Store via in-app links. This decision marks a significant legal setback for the tech giant, effectively dismantling its long-standing control over external payment pathways for developers.
The End of the “Apple Tax” on External Links
Under the court’s order, Apple is now prohibited from collecting fees when users follow an in-app link to complete a purchase on a developer’s website. Previously, Apple attempted to maintain control by imposing a 27% commission and utilizing “scare screens” to deter users from leaving the ecosystem, practices that are now under intense judicial scrutiny.
In a formal court filing, judges noted that Apple failed to provide sufficient justification for a stay, stating: “After reviewing the relevant factors, we are not persuaded that a stay is appropriate.”
Industry Reaction and Epic Games’ Victory
Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, celebrated the development on social media, declaring that the “long national nightmare of the Apple tax is ended.”
Apple’s stay is denied by the 9th Circuit Court. The long national nightmare of the Apple tax is ended.
May next week’s WWDC be the Apple-led celebration of freedom that developers and users have long deserved. pic.twitter.com/f0A3IAVKNC
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) June 4, 2025
Apple expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome. A spokesperson stated, “We are disappointed with the decision not to stay the district court’s order, and we’ll continue to argue our case during the appeals process. Our goal is to ensure the App Store remains an incredible opportunity for developers and a safe and trusted experience for our users.”
Legal Context and Market Impact
The current ruling stems from an April decision by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who found Apple in “willful violation” of a 2021 injunction. The court determined that Apple’s restrictive policies regarding digital goods constituted anticompetitive behavior.
Major market players are already adjusting their operations. Companies like Spotify and Amazon have begun deploying app updates that allow users to manage subscriptions and purchases directly through their own platforms, bypassing Apple’s commission structure entirely.
Strategic Timing for Apple
This ruling arrives just days before Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The timing compounds pressure on the company, which recently reported $1.3 trillion in billings and sales for 2024. While Apple has noted that 90% of those sales do not generate commission revenue, the loss of the ability to tax external link transactions represents a structural change to its high-margin services business model.