In a significant development following a recent court ruling, Apple has taken steps to amend its App Review Guidelines to align with a legal decision regarding its in-app purchasing policies. This ruling emerged from the ongoing dispute between Apple and Epic Games, where Epic has challenged Apple's restrictions that limit developers' ability to inform users about alternative purchasing options outside of Apple's proprietary in-app purchasing system.

In an email dispatched to developers, Apple succinctly outlined the specific changes being implemented. For example, under the updated guideline 3.1.1, apps available on the United States storefront will now be permitted to feature buttons, external links, or other calls to action that allow users to browse non-fungible token (NFT) collections owned by others. This marks a significant shift in Apple's approach to third-party content and digital assets.

Additionally, guideline 3.1.1(a) clearly states that there will no longer be a prohibition on apps within the U.S. storefront from including these types of features, and developers will not require any special entitlements to implement them. Furthermore, under section 3.1.3, the previous ban on encouraging users to utilize purchasing methods outside of Apples in-app purchasing system has also been lifted for the U.S. storefront. This change is further emphasized in guideline 3.1.3(a), which confirms that the External Link Account entitlement is no longer necessary for apps on the U.S. storefront.

The presiding Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple must adhere to these changes immediately, despite the company's plans to appeal the decision. This ruling could have far-reaching implications not only for Apple but also for other app developers seeking to operate independently of Apple's ecosystem.

Currently, the changes are solely applicable to the United States due to the specific context of the court case. However, Epic Games' CEO Tim Sweeney has proposed what he calls a peace proposal, suggesting that he would withdraw all ongoing litigation against Apple if the company agrees to implement these adjustments globally. So far, Apple has provided no public response indicating an interest in pursuing this offer.

In light of these amendments to Apple's policies, other major app developers are swiftly reacting. Companies like Spotify have already submitted updates to their apps, facilitating easier purchasing options and subscriptions outside of the App Store. Additionally, Patreon has announced intentions to follow suit, while Epic Games has expressed its plans to reinstate Fortnite on the U.S. App Store.