In a landmark moment for mobile gaming, Fortnite has officially returned to the U.S. App Store—ending a four-year exile that began during Epic Games’ historic legal battle with Apple. The popular battle royale game is now available for download on:
✔ Apple App Store (U.S. and EU)
✔ Epic Games Store (EU only)
✔ AltStore (EU alternative marketplace)
Epic confirmed the rollout on X (formerly Twitter), noting the game will appear in App Store search results shortly.
Why Was Fortnite Banned? The $100 Million Feud Explained
The conflict dates back to August 2020, when Epic intentionally violated App Store policies by:
- Adding a direct payment option in Fortnite (bypassing Apple’s 30% fee)
- Offering players a 20% discount for using Epic’s system
Apple’s response was swift:
🚨 Immediate removal from the App Store
🚨 Termination of Epic’s developer account
This triggered Epic vs. Apple, one of the most consequential tech lawsuits of the decade.
The Legal Turning Point: Judge Rules Against Apple
After years of litigation, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers delivered a pivotal 2021 ruling:
“Apple engaged in anticompetitive conduct under California law.”
Key outcomes:
🔹 Apple must allow alternative payment systems (2024 enforcement)
🔹 No more retaliatory bans against developers using third-party payments
In April 2024, the judge reaffirmed these mandates, forcing Apple’s hand.
How Epic Forced Apple’s Hand in 2024
Despite the legal win, Epic faced new roadblocks when resubmitting Fortnite:
- Apple delayed approval for weeks
- EU launch stalled despite DMA compliance
Epic escalated back to Judge Gonzalez Rogers, who issued an ultimatum on June 11:
“Apple must approve Fortnite or provide valid legal grounds for rejection.”
Within 48 hours, the game was live.
What’s Different About the New Fortnite Mobile?
The 2024 version includes a nuclear option against Apple’s fees:
🎮 20% Cash Back Program
- Players get 1/5 of every purchase refunded when using Epic’s payment system
- Direct challenge to Apple’s 15-30% IAP commission
💡 *This mirrors Epic’s original 2020 strategy—but now with court-approved legitimacy.*
The Bigger Picture: A New Era for App Stores
Fortnite’s return signals three seismic shifts:
- Apple’s Walled Garden Has Cracks
- Alternative marketplaces (AltStore) now viable in EU
- Direct payments erode Apple’s $20B+ IAP revenue
- Regulators Are Watching Closely
- Ongoing DOJ lawsuit cites Epic case as evidence
- Global scrutiny on “gatekeeper” platforms intensifying
- Developers Gained Leverage
- Major studios now testing third-party payments
- Smaller devs emboldened to challenge platform rules
What Players Should Know Before Downloading
⚠ Performance Notes
- Runs on Unreal Engine 5.2 (demanding for older iPhones)
- Not the full “metaverse” version (cloud streaming still required for some features)
💰 Payment Options Compared
| Method | Cost of $10 V-Bucks | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Apple IAP | $10 | None |
| Epic Direct | $8 after cashback | +200 V-Bucks bonus |
Epic’s Next Moves in the Platform Wars
While celebrating this win, Epic continues pushing boundaries:
- Preparing iOS Epic Games Store launch (EU first)
- Lobbying for U.S. App Store reform
- Experimenting with blockchain payments (despite Apple’s restrictions)
The post After a five-year hiatus, Fortnite is back on the US App Store first appeared on Techfullnews.