Epic Games has made Fortnite available for download again on the App Store in the US, ending one of the most high-profile battles between the developer and tech giant Apple. The updated version of the game has already appeared on the US app store, as well as on the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the EU.
Epic Games has made Fortnite available for download again on the App Store in the US, ending one of the most high-profile battles between the developer and tech giant Apple. The updated version of the game has already appeared on the US app store, as well as on the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the EU.
The company announced the return of Fortnite on its X (formerly Twitter) account. This marks the first time in four years that the game is officially available on iOS in the US. In addition to the App Store, Fortnite is also available in Europe through alternative app stores, which is possible thanks to new EU regulations.
Fortnite disappeared from the App Store back in 2020 after Epic added its own in-app purchases to the game, bypassing Apple’s fees. In response, Apple removed the game from the store, and Epic sued, accusing Apple of monopoly and preventing alternative payment methods.
The lawsuit lasted several years. In 2023, the court found Apple’s actions to be a «willful violation» of antitrust rules, and in April 2024, it ordered the company to allow third-party payment methods in its applications. After that, Epic again filed Fortnite for moderation, but Apple delayed its consideration, which caused a new wave of accusations of blocking the game.
The situation shifted after Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers' recent statement that Apple must approve the game or justify its refusal, which appears to have had a final impact on the tech giant’s decision.
The new version of Fortnite on iOS retains the promotion of 20% cashback when purchasing game items directly through Epic, rather than through Apple’s purchasing system.
We also previously wrote that Fortnite players will receive monetary compensation because they were prompted to make unwanted in-game purchases.
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