Epic Games has announced that Fortnite will be making its long-awaited return to iOS devices soon. But, when exactly can you expect it to appear back on your iPhone? We'll give you the details.
In 2020, Apple removed Fortnite from its App Store after a series of tumultuous exchanges between itself and Epic Games. The disagreement at hand was regarding Apple's App Store practices, with the crux of the issue being the 30% revenue cut Apple would take from all in-app sales made in Fortnite.
Epic Games deemed this to be hugely unfair not only to players but also to the greater software ecosystem. This ultimately resulted in Epic introducing an alternative payment system that allowed Fortnite players to purchase items from within the game itself. The system effectively bypassed Apple's standard revenue cut but led to the game eventually being banned on iOS devices due to a “willful breach of contract.”
In response to this, Epic released a defiant video that described their own actions as defying the App Store Monopoly. Since then, the rift between the two has only continued to grow.
But now, more than three years after the historic dispute that saw Fortnite taken down from iOS devices, the game is set for one of the biggest comebacks ever.
Fortnite's Return To iOS Will Be In 2025
At the time of writing, Fortnite will return to iOS devices in Japan only. A recent law passed in the country allows third-party app stores, such as the Epic Game Store, to exist on iOS, and Epic is taking advantage of it. Fortnite is believed to be available on iOS devices in Japan sometime in 2025.
Besides this, Fortnite's much-anticipated return to iOS devices may only be limited to Europe in the future. This move comes after a new European Union law, known as the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which dictates that companies – such as Apple – must enable users in the EU to access alternative marketplaces on their preferred devices and enable developers to distribute their apps through these alternative channels.
With these new changes coming into full effect in 2024, Epic plans on bringing Fortnite back to iOS devices soon.
Remember Fortnite on iOS?How bout we bring that back.Later this year Fortnite will return in Europe on iOS through the @EpicGames Store.(shoutout DMA - an important new law in the EU making this possible). @Apple, the world is watching. pic.twitter.com/VdHWTe8i1c
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) January 25, 2024
Though it is largely unknown when players can expect the beloved battle royale title to come back, Epic has confirmed that upon Fortnite's official return, players can download the game via their newly launched Epic Games Store for iOS.
The DMA was implemented in November 2022 and requires all services and companies listed in the Act to comply with all of its provisions by March 6, 2024.
With no exact date confirmed, Epic has urged players to "stay tuned for details as we figure out the regulatory timeline." They further added that they will "continue to argue to the courts and regulators that Apple is breaking the law."
Once Fortnite is available, players will be able again to team up with their friends, access the various game modes including the novel LEGO Fortnite mode, and earn themselves those coveted Victory Royales.