The government body first opened its review into the tech juggernaut in March 2021 over the company’s terms and conditions of its App Store on iOS and iPad devices, though has now announced it will shutting down the operation “on the grounds of administrative priority”.

In a statement, the CMA wrote: “For the avoidance of doubt, this does not constitute a decision by the CMA as to whether the Chapter II prohibition of the Competition Act (the 'Chapter II prohibition') is being or has been infringed.

“The CMA will continue to monitor Apple’s conduct in the market.

“[This] decision to close the case on grounds of administrative priority does not prevent, pre-judge or fetter the CMA's ability, if appropriate, to open an investigation under the Chapter II prohibition in future, or to take action in respect of the conduct considered as part of the investigation.”

The government body also noted that as this was a “fast-moving case”, and any action could “potentially take a significant period of time”, it had opted to close the case following an internal review.

The CMA said it was waiting for new competition powers coming into force in the UK that it will use to “resolve app store concerns”.