Fortnite returns to Apple’s US App Store after nearly five years
After a nearly five-year absence, Epic Games’ popular game Fortnite has returned to Apple’s US App Store. The move follows a long-running legal battle between Epic and Apple over Apple’s in-app payment structure.
The controversy began in 2020 when Epic Games, backed by China’s Tencent, accused Apple of monopolistic practices because of its commission of up to 30% on in-app purchases. In April 2025, a US federal judge ruled that Apple had violated an earlier court order requiring the company to allow more competition within the App Store. The judge referred Apple for a criminal investigation for contempt of court.
When it was removed in 2020, Fortnite had 116 million users on iOS. While this is a victory for Epic, analysts note that the game’s popularity may have declined since its original removal.
The judge’s ruling may also affect other apps such as Spotify and Netflix, which may now be able to bypass Apple’s commissions, which could change the economic structure of iOS apps over the next 12 to 18 months.
Fortnite had previously returned to Android devices worldwide and to iPhones within the EU. The game is also available through the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the European Union.
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