The Fortnite game is shown on a smartphone in front of an Apple logo in this illustration from May 2, 2021. Reuters
Fortnite is making a comeback on iPhones for the first time in four years—but only for players in the European Union. The popular game was removed from Apple’s App Store in 2020 due to a dispute over payment policies between Apple and Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite.
The return is made possible by new EU legislation called the Digital Markets Act, which requires Apple to allow alternative app stores on its devices. This regulation does not apply outside the EU, so Fortnite remains unavailable on iPhones in other regions.
To get Fortnite on their iPhones, European users will need to install a third-party app store. One such store is the newly launched Epic Games Store, which is also now accessible on Google Android devices. Installing Fortnite through these alternative stores involves a somewhat lengthy process, which Epic Games attributes to intentionally difficult installation steps imposed by Apple and Google.
Apple has responded by saying that the new EU law required them to enable these alternative options. They have worked to make the process as straightforward as possible while ensuring user privacy and security. Google has been approached for comment but has yet to respond.
The return of Fortnite to iPhones in Europe coincides with the launch of a new Fortnite season themed around Marvel's Doctor Doom. This comes amid ongoing debates about app store practices. Epic Games has criticized Apple for maintaining a monopoly, arguing that it forces developers to pay high commission fees on in-app purchases, which can be up to 30%. This is similar to the fees charged by Google, although Google permits alternative app stores on Android devices.
Currently, players in the UK cannot download Fortnite directly to their iPhones. However, they can still access the game via a web browser. Epic Games hopes to bring Fortnite back to UK iPhones by late 2025, depending on whether new competition laws there will allow it. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, has indicated that if there are no further legal obstacles, they should be able to make Fortnite available on UK iPhones by the end of next year.
The broader implications of this move include increased competition and more choices for consumers. The Digital Markets Act in the EU is seen as a significant step toward breaking the app store monopolies held by major tech companies. Epic Games has also used its new app store to offer other popular games like Rocket League Sideswipe and Fall Guys.
