After five-year feud, Fortnite finds its way back to Apple's App Store as tech giants clash over money
AP Epic Games' Fortnite returns to Apple's U.S. App Store after a five-year legal battle over in-app payments, spotlighting growing tensions in Apple's $27 billion services empire (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
Human voices push Apple to act, court ruling changes gameFor players like 17-year-old Dylan Harper, Tuesday's return of Fortnite to Apple's App Store means more than just another game night. 'It was weird not being able to download it,' he said in an interview to CNBC, remembering the abrupt disappearance back in 2020. For Epic Games, it marks a hard-fought victory in a long, complex legal war with Apple that reshaped the way tech giants handle payments and competition.The game was removed in 2020 after Epic modified Fortnite to accept payments directly, bypassing Apple's in-app payment system that charges developers fees of up to 30 per cent. This move triggered Apple's swift retaliation and Fortnite was removed from the App Store, making Epic's developer account revoked.
Also read: Fortnite fans shocked as Apple blocks game on iOS globally, despite Epic Games' major legal victory just weeks ago
But the tide turned in April 2025 when a judge ruled that Apple cannot charge a commission when apps link out to external payment platforms, nor can it dictate whether those links look like buttons. This decision was seen as a landmark moment in the ongoing debate about Apple's control over its app ecosystem, especially as its App Store fees have become a key pillar of its services business, which brought in nearly $27 billion in the March quarter alone. Legal pressure forces Apple's hand as developer revolt grows
Epic submitted Fortnite for review on May 9, but the app sat in limbo. After filing a legal challenge last week, a judge on Monday, May 19 forced Apple to either approve the app or explain the delay, with Apple comprehending and accepting the ruling a day after. Apple is now appealing the court ruling and seeking a pause to delay changes already made to its App Store. Meanwhile, major players like Amazon and Spotify have already taken advantage of the ruling, updating their apps to include external links for purchases. iPhone users can now buy Kindle books directly inside the Kindle app, a move that would have been blocked under Apple's previous rules.Also read: Fortnite vanishes from iPhones worldwide: Apple blocks comeback in explosive tech showdown
Epic's struggle extended beyond the US. The company recently secured a European developer account, allowing Fortnite to be distributed via a third-party app store under the Digital Markets Act. Even there, Apple initially tried to revoke Epic's account before backing down, according to Epic. Though Fortnite could be played through cloud gaming in the interim, fans and developers alike saw the return to the App Store as symbolic, almost representing a shift in the balance of power in an ecosystem long dominated by Apple's terms.
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