The ongoing legal battle between Epic Games and Apple has taken another turn, with Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney expressing frustration over Apple’s lack of response to Fortnite’s re-submission to the App Store. This silence threatens to delay the game’s next major update, scheduled for this Friday.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict began in August 2020 when Epic Games introduced a direct payment system in Fortnite, bypassing Apple’s 30% commission on in-app purchases. In response, Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store, leading Epic to file a lawsuit alleging antitrust violations. The legal proceedings culminated in a September 2021 ruling by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who found that while Apple was not a monopoly, its anti-steering policies were anti-competitive. The court ordered Apple to allow developers to inform users of alternative payment methods.
Recent Developments
In April 2025, Judge Rogers found that Apple had willfully violated the injunction by imposing new fees and restrictions on developers, including a 27% commission on external purchases. The court ordered Apple to cease these practices immediately. Following this ruling, Epic Games submitted Fortnite for Apple’s approval on May 9, 2025. After five days without a response, Epic withdrew the original submission and filed a new version to accommodate a planned Friday update.
Apple’s Silence and Its Implications
Apple’s guidelines state that 90% of app submissions are reviewed within 24 hours, making the current delay unusual. This lack of communication has left Fortnite’s iOS player base in uncertainty, as the upcoming update may be delayed or unavailable on their devices.
Epic’s Response and Community Reaction
Tim Sweeney has been vocal on social media, highlighting the presence of Fortnite knock-offs on the App Store, which Apple has since removed. The Fortnite community remains in a wait-and-see mode, with no clear indication of when or if the game will return to the App Store.
Conclusion
The ongoing silence from Apple regarding Fortnite’s re-submission underscores the complexities of the relationship between app developers and platform holders. As the situation develops, both Epic Games and Fortnite fans await further communication from Apple.
