The U.S. Department of Justice filed antitrust claims against Apple in June 2024, alleging the company restricts competition in app development, cloud gaming, messaging, wearables, and digital wallets. After a year of legal delays, the case has stalled during the discovery phase, where both sides exchange evidence. Apple now accuses the U.S. government and 14 federal agencies of refusing to comply with document requests, calling the resistance an 'endless procedural runaround.' The company argues that internal government assessments of Apple’s technology—such as why agencies choose iPhones for their security—could contradict the DOJ’s claims.

Apple has pushed back on all five core allegations. It points out that 'super apps' already operate on the App Store, cloud gaming services are permitted, third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp are widely used, third-party smartwatches can sync with iPhones (especially after iOS 26.3 improvements), and Apple provides secure tap-to-pay access through its own wallet framework. Over time, some of these claims have weakened, especially as Apple expanded functionality.

The standoff highlights a deeper tension: federal agencies depend on Apple’s closed, secure ecosystem for official use, which may undercut the DOJ’s argument that the same ecosystem is inherently anti-competitive. With both Apple and the government resisting discovery demands, the case could drag on for years without reaching a trial. Legal observers note that the lack of cooperation from all parties—including Samsung, which Apple also subpoenaed—suggests strategic delay rather than a push for resolution.