A U.S. appeals court has agreed to reconsider a massive class action lawsuit tied to the App Store, reopening a legal battle that has stretched on for more than a decade. The case accuses Apple of overcharging users through its App Store pricing and payment rules.
The decision marks another twist in a lawsuit first filed in 2011. Since then, the case has repeatedly moved forward and backward through the courts.
What the Appeals Court Will Review
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will focus on whether the lawsuit should proceed as a class action. Specifically, the court plans to review an October 2025 ruling by Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who dismissed the class action status.
Importantly, the appeals court will not retry the full case. Instead, it will examine whether the class action was properly decertified. The plaintiffs must file a formal request within 14 days to keep the appeal moving.
Why Class Action Status Matters
The dispute centers on how many App Store users suffered harm. Apple has argued for a smaller group of claimants. Meanwhile, the plaintiffs claim nearly all App Store customers were affected.
In 2024, Judge Rogers briefly approved the case as a class action. She limited it to users who spent at least $10 on the App Store. However, Apple later challenged the data used to estimate that group. The company said errors inflated the number of affected users.
As a result, Judge Rogers ruled that the plaintiffs failed to show damages across the group in a reliable way. That ruling led to the dismissal now under review.
Billions at Stake
If the lawsuit regains class action status and Apple loses, the damages could reach billions of dollars. By contrast, if the case stays dismissed, individual claims could total only a few hundred dollars combined.
Plaintiffs argue that blocking a class action would effectively end the case. They say few users would pursue individual lawsuits over small purchases.
What Happens Next
The appeal process will extend into 2026. Apple has not commented on the latest decision. For now, the case stands as one of the most significant legal challenges to Apple’s App Store model, with potential consequences for millions of users worldwide.
