That when it comes to iOS and reaching those users, you either obey Apple's every whim or take the alternative and simply forfeit access to those consumers.
Nope. It was stayed pending parties' appeal to SCOTUS who ultimately declined to take up the case.
"The Ninth Circuit issued its opinion on April 24, 2023. The three judge panel all agreed that the lower court ruling should be upheld. However,
the Ninth Circuit agreed to stay the injunction requiring Apple to offer third-party payment options in July 2023, allowing time for Apple to submit its appeal to the Supreme Court. Both Apple and Epic Games have appealed this decision to the Supreme Court in July 2023. Justice Elena Kagan declined Epic's emergency request to lift the Ninth Circuit's stay in August 2023.
On January 16, 2024, the Supreme Court declined to hear the appeals from Apple and Epic in the case.
With the Supreme Court's refusal to hear either appeal,
the case ended with all charges dismissed except for the anti-steering charge."
The case is still active with regard to Apple's chosen solution of "requiring that developers give Apple 27% of all sales made within seven days of being directed to these sites" in order to obey the ruling.
"Sweeney stated that these changes are in bad faith compliance with the court orders, maintaining a 27% anti-competitive tax and a 'scare screen' that are intended to dissuade developers from using third-party payment systems.
Epic filed its request to Rogers in March 2024 to enforce the anti-steering provision that she had outlined for Apple."
At this point the only thing left to decide is whether Apple actually obeying the judge's anti-steering decision.
en.wikipedia.org