Fortnite is officially back on the iPhone and iPad in the U.S. App Store nearly five years after being removed due to a payment dispute between Epic Games and Apple.
Now, the iconic battle royale game has skyrocketed to the top free game spot on the U.S. App Store — but its future remains uncertain.
Payment Options Spark Fortnite’s Return
The return comes after a federal court forced Apple to allow external payment options for in-app purchases. Now, when buying V-Bucks, Fortnite players can choose between:
- Apple’s in-app purchase system (the default method), or
- Epic Games Store via browser, which offers a 20% Epic Rewards bonus.
This payment choice was once banned under Apple’s strict App Store rules but is now legally permitted. While the Epic Games Store option requires leaving the app, the added value makes it an attractive deal for regular buyers.
Legal Battle: Epic vs. Apple
Fortnite was removed in 2020 when Epic deliberately violated Apple’s policies by adding its own payment system. That sparked a years-long antitrust lawsuit. In the most recent ruling:
- Apple must allow external payment links inside apps.
- Apple is barred from applying a 27% commission on those external purchases.
Epic celebrated the win, but Apple is appealing the decision and has requested a stay, which could undo these changes. If granted, Fortnite may be removed again.
Quick Approval, Court Pressure
Fortnite wasn’t approved through a normal App Store review. Instead, Epic submitted the app one week after Apple’s forced policy change, then raised legal pressure in court.
Once Apple execs risked being called to testify, the app was approved — and within 24 hours, it was the top free game on the App Store.
Still, Fortnite’s return is fragile, held together by legal pressure. Any reversal in court could send it back into exile.
U.S. Only — For Now
Fortnite is currently only available in the U.S. App Store. In the EU, Epic is distributing through its own store, thanks to the Digital Markets Act. In other regions, cloud gaming remains the best option, including:
- NVIDIA GeForce Now (free and paid tiers)
- Xbox Cloud Gaming
These services bypass App Store limitations and allow Fortnite to run on nearly any device that can stream video.
Still Missing on Mac
Fortnite for Mac remains offline since 2020. Despite no technical barriers, Epic hasn’t relaunched the Mac version, keeping it part of its ongoing protest against Apple’s policies.
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