In a significant move that could reshape how the App Store operates, Epic Games and Spotify have submitted new versions of their apps to Apple for review—versions that would have been rejected just a year ago. These submissions are part of a larger strategy by both companies to test Apple’s recently revised App Store policies, following a major legal battle that forced the tech giant to ease restrictions.
Fortnite Eyes a Comeback
Epic Games is aiming to bring back Fortnite to iPhones and iPads, years after Apple removed it from the App Store in 2020. The removal came after Epic violated Apple’s rules by allowing players to buy in-game items directly through Epic’s payment system, bypassing Apple’s mandatory in-app purchase system and its 30% commission.
That decision led to a highly publicized antitrust lawsuit, which—while largely ruling in Apple’s favor—did result in a court order requiring Apple to allow developers to include external links to alternative payment methods. Epic’s recent app submission is seen as a test of how far those new rules actually go.
Spotify Wants to Sell Audiobooks More Freely
Spotify, another vocal critic of Apple’s App Store policies, is also testing the waters with its latest update. The company hopes to sell individual audiobooks directly within the app and allow its Premium users to purchase extra listening hours once they exceed the 15 free hours provided monthly.
This update follows Apple’s recent approval of the Amazon Kindle app, which now includes a “Buy Book” button—a major shift after years of blocking such direct purchase options in reader apps. Spotify also recently received approval to show pricing information for its subscription plans to U.S. users inside the app, a long-requested feature it was previously barred from offering.
A New Era for App Developers?
These changes are a result of a legal ruling in the Epic v. Apple case, where a judge found that Apple had not fully complied with court orders regarding in-app payment freedom. Although Apple technically won the lawsuit in 2021, the court did direct the company to allow external payment links—without restrictive formatting or warnings that could deter users.
Apple initially resisted, implementing what critics called “scare screens” that warned users about the risks of using outside payment methods. The company also introduced a new 27% commission for web-based purchases made through external links, only a slight drop from the original 30%.
However, a U.S. District Court recently ruled that Apple’s approach was still anticompetitive. As a result, Apple was forced to remove these barriers and allow developers to include clean, direct links to web-based payment options—with no extra conditions or commissions.
This policy shift opens new opportunities for developers—especially smaller ones—to build more flexible and sustainable business models without giving up nearly a third of their revenue.
What’s Next?
As Epic and Spotify pave the way, other tech companies are likely to follow. The updated rules allow more freedom in how apps handle payments, potentially ushering in a new era of competition and innovation. For big players, it’s a chance to take more control over their revenues. For smaller developers, it could be the difference between survival and shutting down.
It’s clear that Apple’s grip over the App Store is loosening, albeit slowly. Whether this will lead to broader reforms in mobile app marketplaces remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the balance of power between developers and platform owners is shifting.
