After a prolonged absence, Epic Games’ popular battle royale game, Fortnite, has officially returned to the U.S. iOS App Store. The game’s removal in August 2020 stemmed from a legal dispute between Epic Games and Apple over in-app payment policies. Epic had introduced its own payment system within Fortnite to bypass Apple’s 30% commission on in-app purchases, leading to the game’s ban from the App Store.
The return of Fortnite follows a significant legal victory for Epic Games. In April 2025, a federal judge ruled that Apple had violated a prior injunction by not allowing developers to direct users to alternative payment methods. The court found Apple in “willful violation” of the rules and referred the company for a criminal contempt investigation.
Subsequently, Apple approved Epic’s submission of Fortnite to the App Store, leading to the game’s reinstatement on May 20, 2025. The updated version of Fortnite includes an option for players to purchase in-game currency using Epic’s payment system, offering a 20% bonus promotion. Reuters
This development marks a significant shift in the relationship between app developers and platform holders, potentially setting a precedent for more flexible app store policies. It also reflects evolving dynamics in the app economy and may encourage further scrutiny of platform practices by regulators and courts worldwide.
