Appeals court says Apple doesn't need to let iOS developers link to external payment methods just yet Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Appeals court says Apple doesn't need to let iOS developers link to external payment methods just yet Following September's Epic v. Apple ruling. News by Matt Wales Reporter Updated on 9 Dec 2021 6 comments Following a judge's ruling that Apple must allow developers the option of linking to external payment systems in their iOS apps as part of its lawsuit with Epic Games, an appeals court has permitted Apple to delay making the change until it's fully able to hear the case. Back in September - following a lengthy court battle arising from Apple's decision to remove Fortnite from its App Store after Epic broke App Store guidelines by deliberately circumventing iOS' in-app payment mechanisms - California's Judge Gonzalez Rogers ruled against all but one of Epic's legal challenges. Gonzalez Rogers proclaimed Apple was free to control the payment system of its own platform - as Epic had failed to prove the iPhone maker held a monopoly as defined by antitrust laws - but also ruled Apple could not block developers from linking out to alternative payment methods from within their apps, or prevent developers from informing customers of alternative payments methods using contact details voluntarily provided for that purposes, as that would constitute "anti-competitive conduct" under state law. Watch on YouTube Epic's Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite short, released in response to Fortnite's removal from the iOS App Store. The ruling was initially set to be enforced from 9th December, but Apple petitioned the district court to delay the implementation date until all appeals in the Epic v. Apple trial were resolved. However, Gonzalez Rogers denied the request, saying, "Apple's motion is based on a selective reading of this Court's findings and ignores all of the findings which supported the injunction." Following that initial failure, Apple took its request to the appeals court, which has now (thanks, The Verge) granted the stay, allowing the company to continue insisting developers make exclusive use of iOS' in-app purchase system. Importantly, this doesn't reverse Gonzalez Rogers' initial ruling; it merely permits Apple to delay its implementation until the appeals court can fully hear the case - a process that, as The Verge notes, will likely take months. "Apple has demonstrated, at minimum, that its appeal raises serious questions on the merits of the district court's determination," the ruling by the appeals court reads. "Therefore, we grant Apple's motion to stay part (i) of paragraph (1) of the permanent injunction. The stay will remain in effect until the mandate issues in this appeal." However, the second portion of Gonzalez Rogers' ruling, ordering Apple to allow developers to communicate alternative payment methods with customers, is not affected by the appeals court's decision and must still go ahead as planned. Following September's ruling, Epic launched an appeal against the outcome, saying the initial judgement "[wasn't] a win for developers or consumers". At the same time, Epic began petitioning Apple to allow Fortnite back on the App Store - a request Apple declined, citing "Epic's duplicitous conduct in the past". It added it would not reconsider this decision until "the district court's judgment becomes final and nonappealable". Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 4 Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 13 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090: a new level in graphics performance The Digital Foundry video review - and how the new GPU champion delivers for 4K 120fps gaming. Feature Evercore Heroes wants to wind people up the right way "There's less rage at them, because they didn't end your fun." Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 4 Genshin Impact Path of Gleaming Jade dates, login event rewards Including other anniversary rewards and how to claim them. Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store