In a significant escalation of the ongoing legal battle between Apple Inc. and Epic Games, Apple has blocked the popular video game Fortnite from its App Store globally. This move affects users in the United States and the European Union, where the game had previously been reinstated.
The conflict between Apple and Epic Games dates back to 2020 when Epic introduced a direct payment system within Fortnite, circumventing Apple’s 30% commission on in-app purchases. This action led Apple to remove Fortnite from the App Store, prompting Epic to file a lawsuit alleging anti-competitive practices.
In April 2025, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple had willfully violated a court order by imposing new fees and restrictions on developers, including a 27% commission on external purchases. The judge found that these actions were designed to preserve Apple’s substantial revenue stream and referred the case to a criminal prosecutor for potential contempt proceedings. Additionally, Apple’s finance executive, Alex Roman, was found to have lied under oath during the proceedings.
Following the ruling, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced plans to bring Fortnite back to the U.S. App Store. Epic submitted Fortnite for approval on May 9, 2025, but received no response from Apple. After a week, Epic resubmitted the application, coinciding with a major update planned for Fortnite. By May 16, 2025, Apple had not approved the app, leading Epic to disable Fortnite on iOS devices worldwide, including those in the European Union.
The European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into effect in March 2024, requires tech giants like Apple to allow alternative app stores and payment systems on their platforms. Under this regulation, Epic Games launched its own app store on iOS and Android devices in Europe in August 2024, making Fortnite accessible to European users. However, Apple’s recent actions have once again restricted access to the game on iOS devices globally.
The ongoing dispute has significant implications for the broader tech industry, particularly concerning app store policies and the control exerted by platform holders over third-party developers. The outcome of this legal battle could set a precedent for how digital marketplaces operate and the extent to which companies like Apple can enforce their policies.
As of now, Fortnite remains unavailable on the App Store worldwide. Users can still access the game through cloud gaming services like GeForce NOW or XCloud, though these platforms may offer a different experience compared to the native app. The situation continues to evolve, with both companies standing firm in their positions, leaving the future of Fortnite on iOS devices uncertain.
