Fortnite, one of the most popular battle royale games globally, is making its much-anticipated return to iPhones after being absent from the Apple App Store for nearly three years. The game was initially removed from the platform in August 2020 following a highly publicized legal battle between Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, and Apple.
The conflict began when Epic Games introduced a direct payment option in Fortnite, circumventing Apple’s in-app purchase system, which charges a 30% commission on all transactions. Apple responded by removing Fortnite from the App Store, citing a violation of its terms of service. This led to a legal showdown, with Epic Games accusing Apple of monopolistic practices, while Apple defended its policies as necessary for maintaining the security and integrity of its platform.
The legal battle has been ongoing, with a U.S. District Court ruling in September 2021 that while Apple must allow developers to direct users to alternative payment methods, it did not find Apple’s App Store to be a monopoly. Both companies have appealed various aspects of the decision, but the court did not order Apple to reinstate Fortnite on the App Store.
Despite the ongoing legal disputes, Fortnite’s return to iPhones is expected to be possible through cloud gaming services rather than a traditional App Store re-release. This method allows users to stream games directly to their devices, bypassing the need for a dedicated app. Several cloud gaming platforms, such as NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW, have already been providing access to Fortnite on iOS devices through the Safari browser.
The re-entry of Fortnite to iPhones is a significant development for both Epic Games and its massive player base, which has been eagerly awaiting the game’s return to Apple devices. It also marks a critical moment in the broader conversation around app store policies and the future of mobile gaming.
As Fortnite returns to iPhones, it underscores the evolving landscape of digital distribution and the increasing role of cloud gaming as a viable alternative to traditional app stores. While the full implications of the legal battle between Epic Games and Apple are yet to be seen, the return of Fortnite is a win for the millions of players who can once again enjoy the game on their iPhones.