Fortnite Returns to Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad After Long Legal Fight
has officially returned to the Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad users worldwide after years of legal disputes between Epic Games and Apple.
The popular battle royale title was originally removed from the App Store in August 2020 after Epic Games introduced its own payment system inside the app, bypassing Apple’s commission structure and App Store payment policies. The move triggered a massive legal battle between the two companies over developer rights, app distribution rules, and platform commissions.
Fortnite Back on iOS Globally
In a recent blog post, Epic Games confirmed that Fortnite is once again available for download on iPhone and iPad devices globally through the App Store. According to the company, growing regulatory pressure in regions such as the European Union, Japan, and the United Kingdom played a major role in Apple’s evolving App Store policies.
However, the game remains unavailable on the Australian App Store due to ongoing legal proceedings in the country.
The company believes that international regulators could eventually force Apple to provide more transparency around App Store commissions and alternative payment systems.
Epic Games Continues to Challenge Apple Policies
Despite Fortnite’s return, Epic Games said it still opposes what it calls Apple’s “anticompetitive” App Store rules, particularly restrictions related to third-party app stores and external payment methods.
The company has also requested Australian courts to direct Apple to stop enforcing such restrictions and introduce policies that are more favorable for developers and iOS users.
Fortnite Now Easier to Access on Mobile
The return of Fortnite to iOS follows its arrival on the Google Play Store earlier this year, removing the need for Android users to sideload the game through the Epic Games launcher.
Supported iPhone and iPad Models
According to Epic Games, Fortnite on iOS currently supports the following Apple devices:
Supported iPhones
- iPhone 11 series and newer
- iPhone SE (3rd generation) and later
Supported iPads
- iPad Pro 10.5-inch and newer
- iPad Air (4th generation) and newer
- iPad mini (6th generation) and later
The return of Fortnite to Apple devices marks a major moment for both the gaming industry and app store ecosystem, potentially influencing future developer policies worldwide.