Overview

• Apple has filed an emergency motion in the Ninth Circuit to delay enforcement of new App Store rules stemming from a contempt ruling issued on April 30, 2025.
• The court order requires Apple to end practices such as charging a 27% fee on external payment links and restricting their placement within apps.
• Apple argues that these provisions exceed the scope of the original 2021 injunction, are punitive, and could cost the company billions annually.
• Epic Games opposes the stay, calling it an attempt to block competition, and plans to reintroduce Fortnite to iOS this week with external payment options.
• Several high-profile apps, including Spotify and Kindle, have already updated to include external payment links under the current rules.