Apple must let iPhone users in Australia install rival app stores and use outside payment options from March 1, 2027, under orders handed down by the Federal Court of Australia. 9to5Mac reported that Justice Jonathan Beach issued the 235-page decision on October 21.

What the court ordered

MacRumors reported that the orders build on the court's August 2025 finding that Apple misused its market power, in the Epic Games case, and cover users whose Apple Account region is Australia.

According to that report, from noon Melbourne time on March 1, 2027, Apple must allow competing app stores and direct downloads from websites, including finding, installing and updating apps. Apple cannot charge for or obstruct that access. Third-party stores may be preinstalled, and Apple need not distribute them through the App Store.

On payments, the same report says that developers can offer alternative payment services and link to outside options. Apple cannot require its own purchasing alongside them, or demand reporting or audits. Developers can charge less elsewhere.

According to that report, apps distributed outside the App Store owe Apple no fee on those purchases. For App Store apps, fees are capped at the equivalent for physical goods and services, plus genuine, reasonable extra costs.

On security, the same report says that apps outside the App Store must pass an automated scan and be notarized by Apple or a qualified third party, and Apple can remove them only for harmful content, genuine security risks or legal requirements.

What changes for users

From March 1, 2027, Australian iPhone owners will be able to install apps from sources other than the App Store. Developers may price lower outside Apple's payment system, though that is up to them. Epic says Fortnite is returning to the Australian App Store, in a post on X. As that report notes, Australia was the only country excluded when Fortnite returned to the App Store worldwide in May.

What does not change

The orders cover Australian Apple Accounts and take effect on March 1, 2027, so users elsewhere are not covered. That report adds that Apple told Reuters it plans to appeal and will request a stay, citing its intellectual property and App Store security, and that Apple can apply between February 1 and 15 for a court-approved extension until May 3. The first report says Apple must also pay 85% of Epic's legal costs from the original trial.

Why it matters

In our view, this is another market where Apple is being forced to loosen its hold on iOS. That is our opinion. Apple says it will appeal and ask for a stay, and a stay would delay the changes, so the date is not final.

Context

For another App Store policy story, see Apple's updated App Review rules. More coverage is under mobile.