#App Store policies

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. 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. The tech giant now has 90 days to comply with the ruling, which would enable iPhone users to install apps outside the App Store, much like APK installations on Android. https://youtu.be/eddIhmq4ZP4 Apple has faced similar legal challenges in the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which has already forced the company to permit third-party app stores and sideloading across European nations. For iOS users in Brazil, this could be a game-changing moment, offering newfound freedom to install apps without App Store restrictions, potentially lowering prices and giving developers more flexibility in reaching their audiences. Square Enix has pulled Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles from the iOS App Store and shut down the game completely after discovering a critical bug that made paid content inaccessible—one they deemed impossible to fix. Read more in our articles including "Fortnite Returns to iOS in the US After Five-Year Absence" and "Brazil Forces Apple to Allow Sideloading, Opening the Door for More Mobile Game Stores on iOS".