According to a Bloomberg report, Apple and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) are in discussions to reach an out-of-court settlement that would end the antitrust lawsuit filed in 2024. The lawsuit, which accused Apple of holding an illegal monopoly in the smartphone market, has so far faced strong opposition from the Cupertino company.
Multiple offers from Apple to close the case
Bloomberg reported that Apple has made several offers this year to the DOJ in an attempt to close the dispute. The sources, who asked to remain anonymous because the discussions are private, stress that there is no guarantee an agreement will be reached. Negotiations between the DOJ and companies can end without a deal, but the fact that both parties are negotiating represents a significant step.
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The areas contested by the DOJ lawsuit
The antitrust lawsuit focused on five major aspects of the iPhone experience: super apps, cloud streaming games, third-party messaging apps, third-party smartwatches, and third-party digital wallets. Over the past twelve months, Apple has made substantial changes to address some of these concerns. These include adopting the RCS protocol in the Messages app, launching a Mini Apps Partner Program in the App Store, and broadening access to the iPhone's NFC chip. However, it remains to be seen whether these changes are enough to satisfy the DOJ.
The political factor and the role of the new administration
The Bloomberg report also highlights an important political factor. The Trump administration has sought to resolve numerous antitrust lawsuits inherited from the previous administration. Stanley Woodward, the No. 3 DOJ official currently overseeing antitrust work, has pushed for settlements, viewing them as a way to save taxpayer money and provide immediate relief to consumers compared to litigation that can last for years. Apple and the DOJ recently filed a joint status report on the case, and Apple won a discovery fight earlier this week over access to federal agency documents.
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Impact for Apple's leadership succession
If Apple and the DOJ reach an agreement, it would be a huge weight off John Ternus's shoulders when he takes over as Apple CEO in September. Resolving the lawsuit would allow Ternus to focus on growth strategies without the shadow of antitrust litigation. For businesses, understanding the dynamics of antitrust cases in the tech sector is crucial. For insights on how companies can manage legal risks, see our article on NIS2 Supplier Registry and supply chain security. Additionally, this case reminds us of the importance of data protection: read our guide on Ransomware Incident Response for SMEs.
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For more details on U.S. antitrust law, you can consult the Wikipedia entry on United States antitrust law.
Source: https://9to5mac.com/2026/07/17/apple-in-talks-to-settle-doj-antitrust-lawsuit-per-report
