So, you’ve probably seen the headlines. Epic Games vs Apple—a multi-year legal brawl that feels like it’s been going on since the dawn of time. Or at least since 2020, which, in tech years, basically is the dawn of time. It started with a "Project Liberty" stunt and ended up in a mess of "scare screens," billions of dollars, and a whole lot of lawyer talk.
But honestly? Most people are still confused about who actually won.
If you ask Tim Sweeney, he’ll tell you it's a victory for the "open metaverse." If you ask Tim Cook, he’ll say Apple is just protecting the "security and privacy" of its users. The reality is somewhere in the middle, and frankly, it’s a bit of a mess.
The Shot Heard 'Round the App Store
Back in August 2020, Epic Games decided to poke the bear. They pushed a "hotfix" to Fortnite that bypassed Apple’s in-app purchase system. You remember: they offered V-Bucks at a discount if you paid them directly instead of through Apple. Apple reacted exactly how Epic expected—they nuked Fortnite from the App Store.
Epic had a 1984-themed parody video ready to go within minutes. They were prepared for war.
The core of the argument was simple. Epic claimed Apple was a monopoly. They hated the 30% "Apple Tax." They wanted to be able to put their own store on the iPhone. Apple’s defense? They built the garden, they keep the garden safe, and they deserve a cut for providing the soil and the fence.
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Why the Courts Didn't Give Epic Everything
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers eventually handed down a ruling that was... well, it was a bit of a mixed bag. She didn't call Apple a monopoly. In fact, on nine out of ten counts, Apple won. That's the part Apple likes to highlight.
But that tenth count? That was the kicker.
The judge found that Apple’s "anti-steering" rules—the ones that stop developers from even telling you that a cheaper price exists on their website—violated California's Unfair Competition Law. Basically, Apple was keeping users in the dark.
The "Scare Screen" Era and the 27% Fee
Fast forward to 2024 and 2025. This is where things got really weird. Apple "complied" with the court order by allowing developers to link to external websites. But there was a catch. Actually, there were several catches.
- The 27% Fee: Apple decided that even if you paid on a website, they still wanted 27% of the money. They argued that their intellectual property was still being used.
- The Design Restrictions: Developers couldn't just put a nice "Buy Here" button. They had to follow strict design rules that made the links look... kinda sketchy.
- The "Scare Screens": When you clicked a link, a giant pop-up appeared. Internal Apple documents actually called these "scare screens." They were designed to make you feel like you were venturing into a dark alley in a bad neighborhood.
In late 2025, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stepped back in. They weren't thrilled. While they said Apple could charge a "reasonable fee," they agreed that Apple had been acting in bad faith. By December 2025, the courts started pushing back against these "junk fees."
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Europe vs. The Rest of the World
If you’re reading this in Paris, your iPhone looks very different than it does in New York. The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) did what the US courts wouldn't. It forced Apple to allow third-party app stores.
That’s why Fortnite is back on iOS in Europe, but still stuck in a legal limbo in the States.
In the EU, Epic has its own store. In the US, they’re still fighting over whether a 27% fee is "competitive." It’s a weird, fragmented world. Apple is fighting a multi-front war, and while they’re winning the legal battles in the US, they’re losing the regulatory war in Europe and Japan.
What Most People Get Wrong
Most people think this was about Fortnite. It wasn't. It was about who controls the next ten years of the internet. If you think the "metaverse" is just a buzzword, look at how much money is at stake. Apple wants to be the gatekeeper of every digital transaction you make. Epic wants to be the one who doesn't have to pay the gatekeeper.
It’s a battle of the billionaires.
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The Current State of Play in 2026
So, where does that leave us right now?
As of early 2026, the US courts have basically told Apple they have to stop being so aggressive with their "anti-steering" tactics. The 27% fee is being re-evaluated by district courts to see what a "reasonable" fee actually looks like. It might drop to 12% or 15%.
Meanwhile, Fortnite remains off the official US App Store. If you want to play it on an iPhone in America, you’re still looking at cloud streaming services like GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming.
The "walled garden" has cracks, but the walls are still standing.
Actionable Insights for You
If you're a developer or just someone who spends a lot of money on apps, here’s what this means for your wallet:
- Check the Website: If you’re subscribing to a service (like Spotify, Netflix, or even a game), always check their official website first. Because of the "anti-steering" ruling, more companies are finally allowed to tell you about cheaper prices outside the app.
- The "EU Hack" Doesn't Work: Don't try to change your region to a European country just to get the Epic Games Store. Apple uses GPS and billing data to verify your location. It’s a lot of work for very little payoff.
- Watch the "Scare Screens": Don't be spooked by the pop-ups. If it’s a reputable developer (like Epic, Spotify, or Adobe), the "external website" is perfectly safe. It’s just Apple’s way of trying to keep their 30% cut.
- Expect More Stores: Over the next year, expect more "boutique" app stores to pop up in regions like Japan and the UK as their local laws catch up to the EU.
The Epic Games vs Apple saga isn't over—it’s just moved into the boring, administrative phase where the real money is decided. Keep an eye on your receipts; the "Apple Tax" is slowly becoming optional, but you have to know where to look.
Next Steps
To stay ahead of these changes, you should audit your current iOS subscriptions. Check if any of your monthly bills are higher because of the App Store surcharge. Most major services now offer a "direct-to-consumer" price that bypasses the platform fee entirely. Switch your billing to their web portals to save roughly 15-30% immediately.