Australian court orders Apple to open iPhone to rival app stores

Australia's Federal Court ordered Apple to allow rival app stores and direct downloads from developer websites starting 1 March 2027, with no fees or extra conditions. Fortnite has already returned to the Australian App Store, and Epic plans to launch its own store there in March.

• Rival stores and direct downloads required from 1 March 2027
• Apple barred from charging fees on alternative channels
• Fortnite returned to the Australian App Store immediately
• Apple must pay 85% of Epic's legal costs and will appeal