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After a prolonged legal battle spanning nearly five years, Epic Games’ popular battle royale title Fortnite has officially returned to Apple’s App Store in the United States. The game, which was removed in 2020 following a dispute over in-app payment systems, became available for download on iPhones and iPads across the US on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, marking a significant victory for Epic Games in its fight against Apple’s App Store policies.
The Return and Current Availability
Fortnite is now accessible for download directly from the US iOS App Store, with Epic Games announcing the return via their official X (formerly Twitter) account: “Fortnite is BACK on the App Store in the U.S. on iPhones and iPads… and on the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the E.U!”. The game had already been available in the European Union through the Epic Games Store and AltStore but is now officially back on Apple’s platform in the United States as well.
Currently, the US version of Fortnite includes an option for players to purchase in-app currency using the Epic Games website, with no in-app purchases available through Apple’s payment system. This approach aligns with the recent court ruling that forced Apple to allow developers to link customers to purchase options outside of the App Store.
Despite its triumphant return to the US market, Fortnite remains unavailable on the App Store in several other countries, including Australia and Canada. However, industry observers expect the game to eventually become available in these regions as well.
The Five-Year Legal Battle
The conflict between Epic Games and Apple began in August 2020 when Epic implemented its own in-app payment system in Fortnite that bypassed Apple’s payment processing—a direct violation of App Store guidelines. This strategy was designed to avoid Apple’s commission fees, which can be as high as 30% on all in-app transactions.
Within hours of introducing this payment workaround, Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store, prompting Epic Games to initiate an antitrust lawsuit against the tech giant. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney argued that Apple’s fees were unjust and accused the company of monopolizing the app market.
The legal skirmish has seen multiple developments over the years. In 2023, a federal appeals court ruled that while Apple did not possess a monopoly over mobile gaming, it had violated California’s Unfair Competition Law. This ruling required Apple to permit apps to include links and buttons for purchasing software and services outside of the App Store.
Recent Legal Developments
The game’s return comes after significant recent legal developments. In April 2025, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers determined that Apple had violated a previous court order by continuing to restrict developers from directing users to external payment options.
After this ruling, Epic Games quickly resubmitted Fortnite for review, but claimed that Apple was deliberately impeding the process. On May 17, 2025, Epic Games stated: “Apple broke its week-long silence on the status of our app review with a letter saying they will not act on the Fortnite app submission until the Ninth Circuit Court rules on the partial stay. We believe this violates the Court’s Injunction”.
The situation escalated further when Judge Rogers instructed Apple to either approve the app or return to court to justify its delay, even threatening to require the Apple official overseeing app decisions to appear in person. This judicial pressure apparently compelled Apple to relent, and both companies subsequently filed a joint notice stating they had “resolved all issues”.
Industry Implications
The return of Fortnite to the App Store represents more than just a win for Epic Games—it signals a potential shift in the mobile app ecosystem. The court’s ruling prohibiting Apple from charging commissions or dictating the visual appearance of external payment links has already prompted companies like Amazon and Spotify to revise their iOS apps to include direct links to purchase content.
Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital Advisors, suggests that these changes could reshape Apple’s App Store economics over the next 12 to 18 months: “This opens the door for subscription apps like Spotify and Netflix to claw back margin and for independent studios to monetize without having to pay Apple an extra commission”.
For Apple, the App Store remains a crucial revenue source. The company’s Services division, which includes the App Store along with products like AppleCare and Apple TV+, generated nearly $27 billion in revenue during the March quarter alone. The company is appealing the recent court order and seeking a stay that would allow it to reverse changes made to its App Store practices.
Reactions from Key Figures
Tim Sweeney, Founder and CEO of Epic Games, expressed his gratitude: “Thanks to everyone who supported the effort to open up mobile competition and free Fortnite from the very beginning. And thanks to all of the folks who initially sided with Apple, then later came around to the winning side, supporting app developer rights and consumer rights”.
Donald Mustard, former Creative Director at Epic Games, shared his excitement on social media: “This is absolutely incredible. Everyone, go get Fortnite on your Phones and iPads now! We worked so hard in those early days of Fortnite to really dial in and refine a great control scheme for mobile devices!”.
What This Means for Players
For Fortnite enthusiasts who have been unable to play on their iOS devices since 2020, this development means they can once again download and enjoy the game on their iPhones and iPads. Epic Games reported having 116 million users on Apple’s platform before the ban.
However, some analysts question whether this victory comes too late to make a substantial difference for the game. Gil Luria, analyst at D.A. Davidson, noted: “For Epic Games this was a hard fought win that carried a very steep price and may be too late to boost its Fortnite game that is now past its prime”. While Fortnite still claims around 500 million global users as of 2023, engagement patterns have shifted over the years, and the battle royale genre faces intense competition.
