In a significant setback for mobile gamers, Fortnite is no longer accessible on iOS devices worldwide, including in the European Union. This development stems from Apple’s decision to block Epic Games’ latest submission of the game, effectively removing it from both the U.S. App Store and the Epic Games Store for iOS in the EU.
🔄 Background: A Prolonged Legal Battle
The conflict between Apple and Epic Games dates back to 2020 when Epic introduced a direct payment system in Fortnite, circumventing Apple’s 30% commission on in-app purchases. This move led to Apple’s removal of Fortnite from the App Store and the termination of Epic’s developer account.
Recent legal rulings have challenged Apple’s App Store policies, with a judge finding Apple in civil contempt and banning it from collecting commissions on alternative payment systems. These decisions paved the way for Epic to attempt a re-entry of Fortnite into the App Store.
📉 Current Situation: Global Unavailability
On May 16, 2025, Epic Games announced that Apple had blocked their Fortnite submission, preventing its release on the U.S. App Store and the Epic Games Store for iOS in the EU. Consequently, Fortnite is now offline on iOS devices globally.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney expressed frustration over the situation, highlighting that while unofficial Fortnite clones are available on the App Store, the original game remains blocked.
🌐 Implications for Players and Developers
This development underscores the ongoing tensions between major tech companies over app distribution and revenue-sharing models. For players, it means the unavailability of one of the world’s most popular games on iOS platforms. For developers, it raises concerns about platform control and the challenges of navigating app store policies.
🔮 What’s Next?
The future of Fortnite on iOS remains uncertain. While Epic Games continues to advocate for broader access and fairer revenue-sharing models, Apple’s stance on maintaining control over its App Store ecosystem suggests that a resolution may not be imminent.
