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Court Affirms Apple Injunction but Trims Limits in Epic Dispute

By  |  December 11, 2025
Apple, Google

Apple secured a significant—though not complete—victory on Thursday when a U.S. appeals court rolled back parts of a previous order requiring changes to the company’s App Store rules. According to Reuters, the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that several elements of an April contempt order were overly broad and must be revised. However, the court left intact the underlying contempt finding and declined to dissolve the sweeping injunction originally won by Epic Games.

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    The case stems from the long-running legal clash between Apple and Epic Games over App Store policies and competition. Per Reuters, the appeals panel’s decision means Apple will not have to comply with certain mandated adjustments to its App Store, yet it still faces court oversight as the injunction remains in force.

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    Meanwhile, Epic Games is marking a separate milestone. Nearly six months after Epic CEO Tim Sweeney confirmed that Fortnite would return to Google’s ecosystem, the game has officially reappeared on the Google Play Store as the year winds down. The comeback coincides with the launch of Season 7 of the popular battle royale title, which began today.

    Fortnite’s presence on Android has been limited for years. Until now, players were largely restricted to downloading the game through Samsung’s Galaxy Store or sideloading it manually on non-Samsung devices. The title was removed from Samsung’s storefront a year ago amid a dispute over the company’s sideloading policies. By reinstating Fortnite on the Play Store, users no longer need to rely on the Epic Games Launcher to obtain the APK files and related updates. Epic has not yet clarified whether all future updates will migrate entirely to the Play Store or if the launcher will continue to serve as an option.

    Related: Switzerland Opens Antitrust Probe Into Apple’s Mobile Payments Practices

    The Android return follows another major development for Epic: Fortnite’s comeback to the iOS App Store earlier this year, ending a five-year absence from Apple’s platform. Though iPhone users had been unable to access the game without workarounds, Android players at least retained alternative methods of installation—until now, when the Play Store once again provides a centralized source.

    As both companies navigate court orders, platform policies, and renewed distribution deals, Fortnite’s reemergence across major mobile stores signals a notable shift in a years-long standoff—one unfolding alongside Apple’s ongoing legal battles, according to Reuters.

    Source: Reuters