Fortnite is poised to make its return to iPhones in the United States after nearly five years, following a key legal victory for Epic Games. The game's absence from the iOS platform began in 2020, when Epic and Apple entered into a heated legal battle over third-party payment options. This legal dispute led to Fortnite being removed from the App Store.
However, a recent court ruling has been a game-changer. A US judge ruled that Apple must allow apps to link to external payment options, bypassing the App Store's commission system. This opens the door for Fortnite’s return, but there was still a hurdle: Epic’s developer account in the US had been terminated during the original conflict.
Epic Games has found a solution, though. CEO Tim Sweeney confirmed that Epic will use its Epic Games Sweden account to resubmit Fortnite for approval in the US. This account was established in 2023 to comply with new EU regulations, and now it will help Epic navigate the US App Store. This clever workaround should allow Fortnite to return to iPhones and iPads without delay.
This development is significant not just for Fortnite fans but also for the app ecosystem as a whole. The court ruling means that Apple can no longer block developers from directing users to alternative payment methods, and Apple won’t take a cut from transactions made outside of the App Store.
Epic Games initially sued Apple over antitrust concerns, accusing the company of monopolistic practices with its App Store policies. The ongoing battle has captured global attention, and this recent ruling marks a key shift in the ongoing dispute.
For iPhone users eager to play Fortnite again, the game is expected to make its comeback to the App Store very soon — possibly by the end of this weekend.
