The ongoing saga between Fortnite and Apple has delivered disappointing news for iOS gamers across the globe. Recent developments in their protracted legal conflict have sparked speculation about the potential return of Fortnite to the Apple App Store. However, it seems that the chances of this happening anytime soon have diminished significantly.
Apple’s Position Poses Challenges for Fortnite’s Return on iOS
The dispute between Epic Games and Apple has captivated Fortnite’s iOS fan base since it began in 2020. It all started when Epic Games challenged Apple’s 30% commission on in-app purchases made through its Epic Games Store on iOS devices.
In response, Epic Games introduced direct V-Bucks purchases within the app, seeking to reduce costs for players. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, has lobbied for Apple to allow the inclusion of a competing Epic Games Store app on the platform. This move would not only provide gamers with less expensive digital items but would also enable developers to retain a greater portion of their revenue from sales.
A recent legal ruling mandated that Apple must cease collecting fees from transactions made outside apps and cannot prevent developers from directing users to alternative purchasing options. Despite this significant win for developers, the road to Fortnite’s reinstatement on iOS remains rocky.
Following the ruling, Epic Games resubmitted Fortnite for Apple’s approval on May 9, 2025. Unfortunately, the latest communication from the developers on X indicates that Apple has effectively rejected the game’s latest submission. As a result, Fortnite will remain unavailable on both the US App Store and the European Union’s Epic Games Store.
This situation is particularly disheartening for the mobile gaming community, as the majority of Fortnite’s player base is comprised of mobile users. Fans hoping for a speedy resolution are left waiting for further updates from the developers regarding the game’s future in the Apple ecosystem.
As it stands, players will need to look out for future announcements to determine when, if ever, Fortnite might make its much-anticipated comeback to the Apple App Store.