---
title: "DOJ–Apple antitrust settlement talks worry developers"
description: "PayPal and Epic Games fear weak interoperability requirements in proposed deal"
url: https://mactoreality.com/doj-apple-antitrust-settlement-talks-worry-developers
published: 2026-10-17T06:42:50Z
updated: 2026-10-17T06:42:50Z
author: "Mac to Reality Newsdesk"
category: Rumours
tags: ["Apps","Business & leadership","Regulation & legal"]
publisher: Mac to Reality
ai_assisted: true
apple_heat_impact: -1
---

# DOJ–Apple antitrust settlement talks worry developers

*PayPal and Epic Games fear weak interoperability requirements in proposed deal*

**Key points**

- The DOJ is negotiating a settlement with Apple over its antitrust lawsuit.
- PayPal and Epic Games have raised concerns directly with DOJ officials about weak interoperability requirements.
- The settlement talks focus on improving iPhone interoperability, but the timeline is uncertain due to the pending confirmation of DOJ antitrust nominee Adam Candeub.

The US Department of Justice is in settlement negotiations over its antitrust lawsuit against Apple, but some app developers fear the deal may not go far enough to curb anticompetitive behaviour, [The Information](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/apples-antitrust-settlement-talks-spur-worries-among-developers) reported on Friday.

According to The Information’s Aaron Tilley, officials have indicated they prefer a settlement over continued litigation. PayPal and Epic Games have raised their concerns directly with DOJ officials, the report said. The DOJ has asked developers for a list of ways to improve iPhone interoperability with other devices, [MacRumors](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/16/developers-question-scope-of-antitrust-settlement/) and [9to5Mac](https://9to5mac.com/2026/10/16/report-apples-antitrust-negotiations-with-the-doj-spark-concerns-of-a-weak-settlement/) reported. Apple previously offered concessions on interoperability in an earlier effort to head off the lawsuit, MacRumors noted.

9to5Mac reported that some involved in the talks expected a resolution sooner, but the process could be delayed by the pending Senate confirmation of Adam Candeub, the nominee to lead the DOJ’s antitrust division.

The DOJ filed the lawsuit in March 2024, accusing Apple of illegally monopolising the US smartphone market. Since then, Apple has added RCS support and expanded NFC access with iOS 18 and 18.1. Bloomberg reported in July 2026 that the two sides were in early discussions.

Specific terms of any potential settlement remain unknown, and it is unclear whether Apple will agree to the DOJ’s proposed interoperability requirements.

## Sources

- [The Information: Apple’s Antitrust Settlement Talks Spur Worries Among Developers](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/apples-antitrust-settlement-talks-spur-worries-among-developers)
- [MacRumors: Developers Question Scope of Potential Apple Antitrust Settlement](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/16/developers-question-scope-of-antitrust-settlement/)
- [AppleInsider: Vocal developers dismayed at DOJ considering antitrust settlement with Apple](https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/10/16/vocal-developers-dismayed-at-doj-considering-antitrust-settlement-with-apple?utm_source=rss)
- [9to5Mac: Report: Apple’s antitrust negotiations with the DOJ spark concerns of a weak settlement](https://9to5mac.com/2026/10/16/report-apples-antitrust-negotiations-with-the-doj-spark-concerns-of-a-weak-settlement/)

*This report was written by the Mac to Reality newsdesk with AI assistance from the sources listed above, under the editorial policy at https://mactoreality.com/editorial-policy.*