Australia’s Federal Court has ordered Apple to allow competing app stores, direct app downloads and other payment options for Australian users from March 1, 2027.
The details
- It follows the court’s August 2025 finding that Apple misused its market power.
- It covers accounts set to the Australia region, and developers worldwide can take part.
- Apple can’t charge for access to rival stores, obstruct them, or penalize developers who use them.
- Developers can offer other payment methods and link out, even inside App Store apps, and Apple can’t require its own system alongside.
- No Apple fee on outside payments for apps distributed elsewhere. App Store fees are capped near what physical goods pay.
My take
Europe, Japan, and now Australia. Sideloading is slowly becoming the norm outside the US.
Have a blessed day! And Happy Hacking!
