After Being Booted for Bypassing Apple’s Fees, Fortnite Reloads on Iphones Across the U.S.
After nearly five years, Fortnite has made its return to the U.S. iOS App Store, reclaiming the top spot in the free games category within a day of its reinstatement. This development follows a prolonged legal battle between Epic Games and Apple, which began in 2020 when Epic introduced its own in-app payment system in Fortnite, circumventing Apple’s 30% commission fee. Apple responded by removing the game from the App Store, leading to a complex legal dispute over app store policies and antitrust concerns.
Epic Forced Apple’s Hand
In 2021, a federal judge ruled that Apple must allow developers to direct users to alternative payment methods, a decision that was upheld in subsequent appeals. However, Apple maintained control over app distribution on iOS, as the court did not mandate the allowance of third-party app stores or sideloading. Despite these rulings, Apple initially blocked Fortnite’s return to the App Store in May 2025, prompting Epic to seek judicial intervention. The issue was eventually resolved, allowing Fortnite to be reinstated on the U.S. App Store.
Victory for Epic Games
The game’s return is seen as a significant victory for Epic Games and a potential shift in the dynamics between app developers and platform holders. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney described the outcome as “priceless” for app developers globally. Fortnite is now available on the App Store in the U.S., as well as on the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the EU. The legal battle between Epic and Apple continues, with further proceedings expected in the coming months.
