Fortnite Is Back On iPhone: For Millions Of Players Game Returns To U.S. And EU iPhones

Forbes

21-05-2025

Fortnite is back on the iPhone in the U.S. for the first time since August 2020 — it was ejected from the App Store after the maker, Epic Games, broke Apple's rules by adding a payment method to avoid Apple's fees.
Fortnite is back on the iPhone.
After years of legal disputes (which still aren't over), a ruling in early May issued an injunction that meant Apple couldn't stop the developer directing customers to payment methods that weren't Apple's, and avoiding Apple's commissions as a result.
Epic re-submitted the app to the U.S. App Store on Friday, May 9, but the app didn't appear until May 20. In the meantime, Epic Games had complained that Apple had blocked the submission everywhere, so the alternative app stores available to European users couldn't see the game either. Apple disputed this, saying that its actions should not have affected EU users. Epic asked the court to require Apple to accept compliant Epic apps and today, May 20, the app reappeared, though Apple has not commented on the situation.
Where Does That Leave Players?
First, let's note that whatever the legal judgments, Apple was never compelled to put the app in the App Store — it can decide what apps appear there. Second, millions of players who have mourned the absence of the game in the U.S. can now enjoy it again, and it's already become the number 1 top free game on the U.S. App Store as a result. Pent-up demand over five years will do that.
It's worth noting that while it's available in the EU in alternative app stores, it's not in the official App Store in Europe or anywhere else in the world outside the U.S. — though this is likely to change.
If you need to buy in-app stuff, you can do so as you always could through the App Store's system, but if you want to buy the game's currency, V-Bucks, you can also go to Epic Games Store's option, which offers 20% of your spend back in Epic Rewards. Not quite as seamless as the App Store but better value.
So, What's Next?
Apple is appealing the most recent legal ruling, so it's possible the game could be booted out of the App Store again, and since there are frequent updates, even if you've downloaded it now doesn't mean you'll get the latest features if it is.
Please check back for updates.