Fortnite, the globally popular battle royale game developed by Epic Games, has made a triumphant return to the iOS App Store in the United States after being removed nearly five years ago. The game’s reinstatement follows a protracted legal battle between Epic Games and Apple over in-app payment policies.
In August 2020, Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store after Epic Games introduced its own in-app payment system, circumventing Apple’s 30% commission fee. This move led to a legal confrontation, with Epic accusing Apple of monopolistic practices. Although a 2021 ruling found Apple did not violate antitrust laws, it did mandate that Apple allow developers to inform users about alternative payment methods.
Despite the ruling, Apple implemented a new system imposing a 27% commission on external transactions, which Epic argued still violated the court’s decision. In April 2025, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found Apple in contempt of court for not complying with the injunction, leading to further legal pressure on Apple.
On May 9, 2025, Epic submitted Fortnite for review on the U.S. App Store. After initial resistance, Apple approved the submission following judicial intervention. By May 20, 2025, Fortnite was officially available again for iPhone and iPad users in the U.S.
The updated iOS version of Fortnite includes a 20% bonus promotion for users who make purchases through Epic’s payment system, encouraging players to utilize alternative payment methods. Additionally, the game has launched a new Star Wars-themed season, featuring characters like Jar-Jar Binks and General Grievous.
While Fortnite’s return marks a significant victory for Epic Games and could influence broader app store policies, some analysts question whether the game’s popularity can rebound to previous levels. At the time of its removal, Fortnite had 116 million iOS users.
