Fortnite Returns to Australia’s App Store After Court Ruling Against Apple

Fortnite is returning to Apple’s App Store in Australia following a federal court ruling that requires Apple to open its iOS ecosystem to greater competition. The decision will allow alternative app marketplaces and give developers more freedom to offer payment options outside Apple’s in-app purchasing system.

Epic Games announced the return in a post on X, saying, “Big news: Fortnite is coming back to the App Store in Australia tomorrow!” The company described the decision as a positive development for developers worldwide and Australian iPhone users who could benefit from a more open mobile app ecosystem.

Fortnite’s Return Follows a Long Legal Dispute

In May 2026, Fortnite returned to iOS in markets around the world, but Australia remained an exception because of the ongoing legal dispute between Epic Games and Apple.

At the time, Epic argued that Apple was continuing to enforce terms that Australian courts had found unlawful. The company was waiting for a final decision in the case, which has now resulted in an order requiring significant changes to Apple’s app distribution and payment policies.

The Australian ruling follows an approach similar to measures introduced in the European Union, where regulators have pushed Apple to open its platform to competing app marketplaces. However, the Australian court’s decision also includes provisions intended to prevent Apple from introducing additional fees or restrictions that could undermine the changes.

What the Court’s Ruling Means for Apple and Developers

The court’s decision, detailed in a 1,104-paragraph judgment, sets out several changes Apple must make to its iOS ecosystem.

Under the ruling, Apple must:

• Allow third-party app stores: Developers must be able to distribute apps through alternative marketplaces on iOS.
• Permit direct app downloads: Users must be allowed to download apps directly from developers.
• Support alternative payment systems: Developers can offer payment options outside Apple’s in-app purchasing system without being subjected to excessive fees or restrictive conditions.
• Allow external purchase links: The App Store cannot prevent developers from directing users to external websites or other platforms to complete purchases.
• Avoid unnecessary barriers: Apple must not introduce friction that makes installing apps from alternative sources or using other payment systems unnecessarily difficult.

These requirements are intended to give developers more control over app distribution and payments while expanding the choices available to iPhone users.

The ruling also addresses the possibility of Apple introducing new charges, including fees associated with its Core Technology framework or the use of third-party app stores. Such charges have been a point of contention in other disputes over Apple’s compliance with competition requirements.

Apple Plans to Appeal the Decision

Although the ruling requires Apple to make substantial changes, the company has rejected several of the court’s findings and said it intends to appeal.

Apple must implement the court’s orders by March 1, 2027. If it needs more time, it must provide evidence supporting an extension request by February 15, 2027. The court also ordered Apple to cover 85% of Epic Games’ legal costs.

An Apple spokesperson told Engadget that the company disagrees with key aspects of the decision, including the court’s definition of the relevant market.

“Apple does not have a monopoly position in Australia or in any market around the world,” the spokesperson said.

Apple added that it would seek a stay of the ruling while pursuing an appeal. The company said it wants a resolution that protects its intellectual property and maintains the security and reliability users and developers expect from the App Store.

Apple Also Secured Some Legal Wins

Despite the ruling against several of its app distribution and payment practices, Apple did secure some favourable findings.

The court affirmed that Apple is entitled to earn a commercial return on its intellectual property-protected assets, which developers such as Epic benefit from when building and distributing apps through its ecosystem.

The court also rejected Epic’s claims of unconscionable conduct and, as in similar cases in other jurisdictions, did not impose specific payment rates.

These findings mean the decision does not remove every aspect of Apple’s control over its platform. Instead, it establishes new requirements for competition while recognising some of Apple’s commercial and intellectual property rights.

What Happens Next?

Fortnite’s return to Australia’s App Store marks a significant development in Epic Games’ long-running dispute with Apple. More broadly, the ruling could expand distribution and payment options for developers and give Australian iPhone users greater flexibility in how they install apps and make purchases.

However, Apple’s planned appeal means the legal battle is not necessarily over. The next steps will depend on the appeal process, any request to pause the orders, and Apple’s progress toward the court’s implementation deadlines.

For now, the decision represents a major shift in the rules governing Apple’s iOS ecosystem in Australia, with implications for Fortnite, app developers, and the wider mobile software market.