Apple Can’t Charge for Outside Links Anymore – Court Says No
In a landmark blow to Apple’s longstanding grip on App Store monetization, a U.S. court has officially denied Apple’s emergency request to delay a ruling that reshapes how developers can manage payments outside its walled garden. The decision effectively bars Apple from charging developers a commission when users are directed to external websites for transactions, ending a practice critics have long decried as exploitative.
According to Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, the ruling stems from Apple’s “willful violation” of a 2021 injunction. That earlier injunction ordered Apple to stop enforcing policies that prevented developers from linking to their own payment platforms. In April 2025, the court reaffirmed its stance, declaring Apple had failed to comply. Now, the rejection of a stay means the new rules go into effect immediately, despite Apple’s ongoing appeals.
A Crack in the Walled Garden
Historically, Apple has maintained strict control over in-app purchases, taking up to a 30% commission on all digital goods sold via its App Store. When Apple was forced to allow external links, it responded by slapping a 27% commission fee on purchases made off-platform and introducing “scare screens” warning users of potential risk when leaving the app. Critics called these tactics anti-competitive and manipulative.
The court disagreed with Apple’s defense. It ruled that the company “failed to justify a stay,” reaffirming the need to level the playing field for app developers and creative platforms.
Creators and Competitors Rejoice
The ruling is a massive win for developers, especially those who have long felt burdened by what Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney famously dubbed the “Apple tax.” Sweeney took to X (formerly Twitter) to declare:
“The long national nightmare of the Apple tax is ended.”
Major platforms are already responding. Spotify and Amazon have pushed updates that now allow users to complete purchases and manage subscriptions entirely outside the App Store without any Apple-imposed fees or friction.
Apple’s Control Faces Global Scrutiny
This decision couldn’t have come at a more inopportune time for Apple. With WWDC just around the corner, the company will likely face questions from developers and the press about its tightening control, which now appears to be legally unraveling in the U.S.
In 2024, Apple boasted $1.3 trillion in billings and sales through its ecosystem, with 90% generating no commission revenue. However, the 10% comes mainly from digital content, subscriptions, and in-app purchases, representing a major revenue stream. With this court decision in effect, Apple is now forced to rethink its monetization strategy or risk falling further behind in the fight for developer trust.
What Happens Next?
Apple has made it clear it intends to appeal, expressing disappointment with the decision and maintaining that the App Store remains a “safe and trusted” marketplace for users. But as developers reclaim control over their monetization options, the tide may be turning.
This case sets a powerful precedent for platform fairness and developer autonomy, potentially encouraging further regulatory scrutiny in the U.S. and globally.
For creatives and developers, this is not just a win; it’s a signal that the era of unchecked app store dominance may finally be over.
