Apple’s appeal did not erase the finding that it violated the court’s App Store anti-steering injunction. On December 11, 2025, the Ninth Circuit upheld the contempt findings, but sent part of the sanctions back to the district court to be tailored—including the blanket ban on commissions for purchases made through external links. The Supreme Court later agreed to hear only one question from Apple’s petition; as of September 21, 2026, that review was still pending.
What did Apple appeal in the Epic Games case?
Apple appealed a 2025 contempt order enforcing an existing injunction in Epic Games’ long-running challenge to App Store rules. This was not a new trial of every claim in the original case. The Ninth Circuit reviewed whether Apple had complied with the injunction and whether the district court’s contempt findings and sanctions could stand.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Fortnite eGift Card | $15.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Fortnite eGift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Fortnite eGift Card | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Fortnite Physical Gift Card | $30.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Fortnite Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
In the original case, the district court ruled for Apple on the requirement that developers use Apple’s in-app purchase system, but ruled for Epic on its California unfair-competition challenge to Apple’s anti-steering restrictions. The resulting 2021 injunction barred Apple from prohibiting developers from using buttons, links, or other calls to action to direct customers to purchasing options outside Apple’s in-app purchase system. The Ninth Circuit recounts that history in its December 11, 2025 opinion.
After the injunction took effect, Apple introduced a link entitlement program. The Ninth Circuit said Apple imposed a commission and restrictions on the design of external links. On April 30, 2025, the district court found Apple in violation of the injunction and entered a contempt-related order. Apple’s Q3 2026 Form 10-Q also summarizes that order.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
What did the Ninth Circuit decide?
The Ninth Circuit affirmed the contempt findings, reversed and remanded part of the civil contempt sanctions, and otherwise affirmed the district court’s order. Circuit Judge M. Smith, writing for the panel, stated: “We affirm the district court’s contempt findings. We reverse and remand in part the district court’s imposition of civil contempt sanctions, but we otherwise affirm that order.”
| Issue | Ninth Circuit’s action |
|---|---|
| Contempt findings against Apple | Affirmed |
| Part of the civil contempt sanctions, including the blanket prohibition on commissions | Reversed and remanded for further proceedings and tailoring |
| Remaining parts of the district court’s contempt order | Otherwise affirmed |
| Apple’s request to vacate the injunction | Rejected |
| Apple’s request for a different district judge on remand | Rejected |
The appellate court’s decision means Apple may charge some commission on purchases made through external links, but it does not establish the final terms. The district court must further amend or modify the injunction consistently with the Ninth Circuit’s opinion. The Ninth Circuit opinion and Apple’s SEC filing describe a remand, not a final commission percentage for link-out purchases.
Rank #2
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
Does the 30% figure apply to external-link purchases?
No. The Ninth Circuit opinion describes Apple’s in-app purchase system as remitting 70% to developers and retaining 30% as commission. That is background about the in-app purchase system in the opinion; it is not a final rate for purchases made through external links, nor does it establish a rate for every App Store transaction. The external-link commission terms remain unresolved in the materials available as of September 21, 2026. See the Ninth Circuit opinion.
What is the Supreme Court reviewing?
The Supreme Court granted Apple’s petition on June 30, 2026, but limited review to Question 1 presented in the petition. It did not accept the entire petition. The Supreme Court docket showed merits briefing underway as of September 21, 2026: Apple filed its brief on September 14, and Epic’s response was due November 13, 2026. The docket does not show a Supreme Court merits decision by that date.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesRank #3
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
Apple also asked the Supreme Court to pause proceedings in the district court while the Supreme Court case proceeds. Justice Kagan granted a temporary administrative stay through 5 p.m. EDT on August 13, 2026, then denied Apple’s stay application that day. The docket and Apple’s stay application document that request; the denial meant Apple did not obtain a continuing pause of district-court proceedings.
Timeline of the Apple–Epic court dispute
- 2021: The district court entered the anti-steering injunction, allowing developers to direct customers to other purchasing mechanisms.
- April 30, 2025: The district court found Apple in violation of the injunction and entered a contempt-related order.
- December 11, 2025: The Ninth Circuit affirmed the contempt findings, remanded part of the sanctions, and otherwise affirmed the order.
- June 30, 2026: The Supreme Court granted Apple’s petition, limited to Question 1.
- August 13, 2026: Justice Kagan denied Apple’s application to stay the district-court proceedings after a temporary administrative stay lasting through that day.
- September 14, 2026: Apple filed its Supreme Court merits brief.
- November 13, 2026: Epic’s response brief was due on the docket as of September 21, 2026.
What remains unresolved?
Two consequential issues remained open as of September 21, 2026. First, the district court had not set a final commission rate or final terms for purchases made through external links in the materials cited here. Second, the Supreme Court had not issued a merits decision on the question it accepted. The Ninth Circuit’s contempt findings remained affirmed unless altered through further proceedings; the pending Supreme Court review should not be described as a ruling that Apple was, or was not, properly held in contempt.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
Rank #4
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
