Epic has already submitted its proposed remedies. Image: Epic Games
The legal battle between Apple and Epic Games has heated up again in Australia. The iPhone maker recently accused Epic Games — the maker of Fortnite — of trying to ‘free ride”’on its App Store platform without following the same rules as other developers.
Apple said it will continue fighting in court to protect its intellectual property and the security of its App Store. The company insists that Epic’s demands go beyond what the court had earlier ruled and could put users’ privacy and safety at risk.
The Case So Far
Epic Games first filed a lawsuit against Apple in 2020, claiming that Apple’s App Store policies were unfair and violated Australian competition laws. In August 2025, Australia’s Federal Court partially agreed with Epic, saying Apple’s ban on sideloading apps and alternative payment systems broke competition rules.
However, the court did not specify how Apple should fix its practices. Epic now wants the court to force Apple to allow sideloading — which means installing apps from outside the App Store — and to let developers use their own payment methods without paying fees to Apple.
Apple disagrees, saying Epic’s proposal goes too far. The US-based tech giant argued that while the court criticised some of its restrictions, it also recognised Apple’s right to charge for its technology and maintain strict privacy and security controls.
What Happens Next
Epic has already submitted its proposed remedies and the court will review both companies’ arguments in the coming months.
An initial remedies hearing is expected in December 2025, while the final hearing has been postponed until March 2026. This delay gives Apple more time to prepare its response to Epic’s latest proposal.
If the court eventually rules in Epic’s favor, Apple could be forced to allow sideloading and third-party payment options in Australia– similar to changes it made in the European Union after the Digital Markets Act came into effect.
Epic Games has hinted that if it wins, Fortnite could make a return to iPhones in Australia, years after being removed from the App Store.
