In a significant development for mobile gaming enthusiasts, Fortnite is now available once again on the iOS App Store in the United States, as confirmed by Epic Games. You can access the game directly from the App Store here. Additionally, Epic Games has announced that Fortnite has also made its comeback to the Epic Games Store and AltStore.
Fortnite was removed from the App Store nearly five years ago when Epic Games introduced its own in-app payment system, which was deemed a violation of Apple’s policies. This led to a high-profile legal battle between Epic Games and Apple, culminating in the landmark court case, Epic Games v. Apple. In a ruling that favored Epic, the court mandated that Apple must allow purchases to be made outside of its apps without incurring fees, paving the way for Fortnite's re-entry into the iOS ecosystem.
Shortly after the court's decision, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced plans to reintegrate Fortnite into the iOS App Store. He even proposed a “peace proposal” to Apple: if Apple were to extend the court’s friction-free, Apple-tax-free framework globally, Epic would return Fortnite to the App Store worldwide and cease all current and future litigation regarding the matter. On May 9th, Epic submitted the app to Apple through its Swedish developer account, hoping to restore the game to its US audience.
In a twist, Epic announced that Apple had blocked Fortnite’s return to the App Store, which subsequently affected the game's availability on alternative app stores in the EU. Apple clarified that it had requested Epic Sweden to resubmit the app update without including the US storefront to avoid complications in other regions. Despite this setback, Epic sought a judicial order for Apple to review its Fortnite submission. In a recent filing, the judge indicated that Apple could resolve the issue without additional hearings, but warned that if a resolution was not reached, an Apple official responsible for compliance would need to appear in court.
With Fortnite now back in the iOS App Store, it appears that further legal action may be avoided. To enhance player engagement, Epic has launched an enticing new promotion. Players who utilize Epic’s payment system in Fortnite, as well as in titles like Rocket League or Fall Guys on PC, iOS, Android, and the web, will receive a 20% rebate in Epic Rewards. These rewards can be redeemed for future purchases within Epic's games or on the Epic Games Store.
The newly released iOS version of Fortnite features a streamlined download process. Users can expect a small initial download size, followed by the rest of the game being downloaded upon opening the app. For one user, this additional download amounted to approximately 12.95GB.
Moreover, Epic Games has recently rolled out a new Star Wars-themed season for Fortnite, which debuted on May 2nd. This latest update promises to bring fresh content and experiences for players eager to dive back into the game.
With Fortnite's return to the iOS App Store, players can once again enjoy one of the most popular games in the world, along with exciting promotions and new content. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the game, now is the perfect time to jump back in!
