Apple has suffered another setback in Europe as its attempt to separate the App Store into device-specific services was rejected under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The ruling keeps the company’s marketplace grouped as a single service, despite Apple’s argument that it operates five different app stores.
The case matters because it affects how regulators view Apple’s control over software distribution across iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Mac. Judges at the General Court of the European Union said the stores serve the same purpose: connecting developers with end users so apps can be distributed.
Why the court treated App Store as one service
Apple had argued that each platform should be assessed separately, since the company maintains distinct stores for different devices. The court disagreed, saying the device split does not change the core function of the stores.
In its ruling, the court stated that “Irrespective of the devices in question, those stores have the same purpose, namely to connect app developers with end users in order to facilitate the distribution of software applications.” That language reinforces the EU’s view that the App Store should remain a Core Platform Service under the DMA.
Under the law, Core Platform Services are central intermediaries between businesses offering online services and the people who use them. Once a service is placed in that category, it faces a wider set of obligations designed to limit gatekeeper power.
What the ruling means for Apple next
The General Court is the EU’s second-highest court, but Apple still has a path to the Court of Justice of the European Union. That means the dispute is not over, even though the current decision strengthens regulators’ position.
Apple is also appealing a separate order that would force it to open technical documentation and iOS features to third-party services. That fight adds to a broader regulatory battle the company is still managing in Europe.
Another issue remains unresolved around iMessage. The service has not been designated as a gatekeeper, but the European Commission has already classified it as a “number-independent interpersonal communications service,” or NIICS.
| Component | Status in the dispute | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| iOS, App Store, Safari | Already designated as gatekeepers | Subject to DMA obligations |
| App Store on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Mac | Treated as one Core Platform Service | Must follow DMA interoperability rules |
| iMessage | Not a gatekeeper yet, but classified as NIICS | Still open to future investigation |
The court also said the NIICS classification “does not, by itself, produce binding legal effects that bring about a change in Apple’s legal position.” In practical terms, that means the label does not immediately alter Apple’s status, but it keeps the door open for further regulatory action.
Apple’s European challenges now span several fronts, including the App Store ruling, the iMessage review, and a pending appeal over a €500 million fine tied to anti-competitive steering rules. For regulators, the latest decision signals that Apple’s ecosystem will continue to face intense scrutiny.