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The battle royale title Fortnite is finally back on Apple’s App Store in the US, meaning the game is once again playable on iPhones and iPads. It follows nearly five years of legal trouble between Epic Games and Apple.
Fortnite is now once again available on Apple devices, including iPhones and iPads, following nearly five years of legal disputes between its developer Epic Games and the tech giant.
The game was first removed in August 2020 for launching its own in-app payment system. This violated Apple’s policies that require all apps to use its built-in platforms which give the company a 30% on all in-app purchases.
The fallout between both brands was quite dramatic, with Epic Games releasing its own parody of an old Apple advert that referenced George Orwell’s 1984 novel.
Epic Games called the fee unfair and accused Apple of having a monopoly over mobile applications.
The game first came back to the App Store in the EU last January after four years. This was the result of new laws designed to increase competition and reduce any one company from dominating the market space.
Similarly, Google also removed Fortnite from its own app store in 2020 but lifted its ban in 2024.
The move to bring Fortnite back is being seen as a victory for Epic Games, and could have ramifications for other apps and download platforms in the coming years.
Apple has worked tirelessly to ensure its ecosystem is protected and that it receives a cut of all payments from all applications. This will be a huge source of revenue, and any disruption will be significant to the tech giant.
