Australia orders Apple to allow third-party app stores and sideloading

The Federal Court of Australia has ordered Apple to open its mobile operating system to rival software distribution channels and outside payment services, according to a report cited from MacRumors.

Under the court order, Apple must permit Australian users to search for, download, install, and update applications directly from the open web as well as through alternative app marketplaces. The ruling strictly prohibits Apple from charging access fees for off-store distribution or degrading the functionality of software installed from third-party sources.

The mandate also dismantles core parts of the company's billing monopoly. App developers will gain the right to integrate alternative payment systems, link directly to them within standard App Store listings, and offer discounts when customers bypass Apple's processing. The ruling curtails Apple's ability to levy commissions on those external transactions and requires the company to restore Epic Games and its flagship title Fortnite to the Australian storefront.

Security safeguards remain part of the framework: software distributed outside the App Store will still undergo automated security and privacy checks, and Apple maintains the authority to block malicious or unlawful code.

The changes are scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2027. Apple has stated it will appeal the judgment, pointing to intellectual property protections and platform security risks. To pause enforcement pending appeal, the company must file a request between February 1 and February 15, 2027, which could delay implementation until May 3, 2027.

Source: habr