Court denies Apple’s request to pause App Store policy changes

A U.S. appeals court has denied Apple’s emergency request to delay implementing App Store policy changes mandated by a previous court ruling in May.

The decision paves the way for companies like Epic Games, Spotify, and Patreon to direct users to external websites for purchases — bypassing Apple’s in-app commission system.

Shortly after being ordered to allow third-party link placements in apps, Apple sought to delay the rollout, claiming the changes would cause significant harm and infringe on its intellectual property rights. However, the court found no sufficient basis for a temporary stay.

To secure a delay, Apple had to prove a strong likelihood of success on appeal and demonstrate substantial potential harm. After reviewing the case, the judge ruled Apple’s arguments insufficient to justify a postponement.

Apple argued that the forced App Store policy update was an "extraordinary" measure that stripped it of control over the appearance and behavior of external links — and its ability to collect commissions on off-platform transactions. The company estimates the new rules could cost it hundreds of millions, or even billions, of dollars annually.