The feud between Epic Games and Apple never ceases. Apple is fiercely defending its App Store policies in Australia, accusing Epic Games of seeking a “free ride” on the substantial investment and intellectual property that underpins its closed ecosystem. The claim was made during a hearing this week, which is part of a long-running legal dispute that began in 2020 over alleged violations of competition laws.
The dispute focuses on the remedy after Australia’s federal court partially sided with Epic Games back in August 2025. The court had ruled that Apple’s strict rules prohibiting app sideloading and mandating the use of the App Store’s payment system violated the nation’s Competition and Consumer Act.
Epic Games is now pushing the Australian court to mandate measures that would permit sideloading, i.e., installing apps from outside the App Store on iPhones in Australia. The company demanded that these alternative installations be free of any fees paid to Apple.
Apple and Epic Games fall into legal battle once again
Apple contends that Epic Games’ request far exceeds the scope of the August ruling. In a statement, Apple asserted that it will “continue to fight for a ruling that respects our intellectual property,” arguing that Epic’s demands seek to “dismantle every safeguard we’ve put in place to protect users and developers.”
Apple argues that while the court acknowledged the competition violation, the ruling also recognised Apple’s right to be compensated for its technology, which includes the iOS platform and the services provided by the App Store for distribution, security, and maintenance. Apple further highlighted that lifting its restrictions on sideloading poses valid security and privacy concerns for consumers, exposing them to increased risk from third-party sources.
The court has scheduled an initial remedies hearing for December, with the full relief hearing postponed until March 2026 to allow Apple adequate time to respond to Epic Games’ proposed remedies. The outcome of the Australian case matters to the global scene, since Apple’s decision to permit sideloading and alternate payment options, if it happens, would be expected to prompt the company to implement the same in all regions, especially in the EU, where the Digital Markets Act (DMA) exists.
As for Epic Games, winning the case in Australia translates to bringing back Fortnite to the App Store.
