The potential reintroduction of Fortnite on iOS devices in the United Kingdom faces significant uncertainty following recent decisions by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Epic Games, the developer behind Fortnite, has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the CMA’s approach, suggesting that the game’s return to UK iPhones may be indefinitely postponed.
CMA’s Regulatory Roadmap and Its Implications
On July 23, 2025, the CMA unveiled its anticipated roadmap under the Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Act. This plan proposes designating tech giants Apple and Google with strategic market status, subjecting them to increased scrutiny and obligations aimed at fostering competition within the mobile app ecosystem. However, Epic Games has criticized this move, arguing that it falls short of addressing the core issues that have led to Fortnite’s absence from iOS platforms in the UK.
Epic Games’ Response to the CMA’s Decision
In a strongly worded statement, Epic Games conveyed its frustration: We can’t bring the Epic Games Store to iOS in the UK this year (if ever), and Fortnite’s return to iOS in the UK is now uncertain. The company accuses the CMA of failing to prioritize the opening of mobile platforms to alternative app stores, despite longstanding recognition of Apple and Google’s dominant positions in the market.
Comparisons with International Regulatory Actions
Epic Games highlighted more aggressive regulatory measures in other countries, such as Brazil and Japan, where new laws have facilitated the return of both the Epic Games Store and Fortnite to mobile platforms. The company views the CMA’s current stance as a missed opportunity to disrupt what it describes as parallel monopolies within the mobile app ecosystem.
Concerns Over Prolonged Compliance and Anti-Steering Provisions
The CMA’s roadmap includes plans to monitor Apple and Google’s behavior over a five-year period and considers the possibility of requiring Apple to allow sideloading and third-party app stores in the future. However, these steps are in their early stages, leading Epic Games to express concern that the regulator is permitting Apple to prolong the process. The company also warns of potential malicious compliance by Apple unless stronger, enforceable rules are established, referencing Europe’s Digital Markets Act rollout as an example where additional fees and barriers limited the law’s impact.
Apple’s Legal Maneuvers in the United States
Separately, Apple is contesting a U.S. court order from April that mandated the opening of its App Store to external payment options. The company is citing a June U.S. Supreme Court ruling that restricts the scope of universal injunctions by federal judges, arguing that this decision supports its appeal and undermines the basis for the injunction requiring App Store changes. This legal battle stems from a 2020 lawsuit filed by Epic Games against Apple over its control of app distribution and payments on iOS. A U.S. court in 2021 ordered Apple to allow developers to direct users to alternative payment systems, a ruling that is now central to Apple’s ongoing appeal.
Potential Impact on UK iOS Users
Epic Games’ recent legal victory in the U.S. has become a focal point in its global push for stronger enforcement of competitive practices. The company asserts that the U.S. court’s decision set a standard that forced genuine competition and directly benefited users of apps like Spotify and Amazon. Epic warns that if the UK does not adopt similar measures, Fortnite may remain unavailable on iPhones in the region indefinitely.
Broader Implications for the Mobile App Ecosystem
The ongoing dispute between Epic Games and Apple underscores broader concerns about competition and consumer choice within the mobile app ecosystem. The CMA’s current approach, which includes designating Apple and Google with strategic market status, aims to address these issues. However, the effectiveness of this strategy remains to be seen, especially in light of criticisms from developers like Epic Games who argue that more immediate and decisive actions are necessary to foster a truly competitive environment.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Fortnite on UK iOS Devices
As the situation develops, the future availability of Fortnite on iOS devices in the UK remains uncertain. The outcome will likely depend on the CMA’s willingness to implement more robust measures to open the mobile app market to competition and on the resolution of ongoing legal battles between Epic Games and Apple. For now, UK iOS users eager to see Fortnite return to their devices will have to wait for further developments in this complex and evolving regulatory landscape.
