In a significant development, Epic Games has submitted Fortnite for review to the U.S. App Store, marking a potential end to the game’s five-year absence from Apple’s platform. This move comes after a prolonged legal dispute between Epic Games and Apple over in-app purchase policies and revenue sharing.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict began in August 2020 when Epic Games introduced a direct payment option within the Fortnite app, allowing players to purchase in-game currency at a discounted rate by bypassing Apple’s in-app purchase system. This action violated Apple’s App Store guidelines, which mandate the use of Apple’s payment system for in-app purchases, ensuring the company receives a 30% commission. Consequently, Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store, prompting Epic Games to file a lawsuit against Apple, alleging anti-competitive practices.
Legal Proceedings and Outcomes
The legal battle culminated in a September 2021 ruling where Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found in favor of Apple on most counts but ruled against Apple’s anti-steering policies under the California Unfair Competition Law. The court prohibited Apple from preventing developers from informing users about alternative payment methods within apps. Both companies appealed the decision, but in April 2023, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals largely upheld the original ruling. In January 2024, the Supreme Court declined to hear further appeals, effectively solidifying the lower court’s decision.
Despite these rulings, Apple implemented new App Store policies that allowed developers to link to alternative payment options but imposed a 27% commission on purchases made through these links. Epic Games contested these changes, arguing they violated the court’s injunction. In April 2025, Judge Rogers found that Apple had willfully violated her injunction and imposed further restrictions on Apple, including banning the collection of revenue shares from non-Apple payment methods and imposing any restrictions on links to such alternative payment options.
Epic Games’ Strategic Move
In light of these developments, Epic Games has resubmitted Fortnite to the U.S. App Store. The new version of the app includes both Apple’s in-app purchase system and an external payment option via the Epic Games Store. This dual-payment system aligns with the recent court rulings that mandate Apple to allow developers to inform users about alternative payment methods.
Epic’s decision to resubmit Fortnite is a strategic move to test Apple’s compliance with the court’s injunctions and to reintroduce the game to a vast user base. However, Apple’s approval of the app is not guaranteed. The company has appealed the court’s decision and filed an emergency stay request to halt the enforcement of the injunction. If the stay is approved, Apple could revert to its original App Store rules, potentially leading to the rejection of Fortnite’s resubmission.
Implications for the App Store Ecosystem
The outcome of this situation holds significant implications for the App Store ecosystem. If Apple approves Fortnite’s return, it could set a precedent for other developers seeking to offer alternative payment methods within their apps. This could lead to increased competition and potentially lower prices for consumers.
Conversely, if Apple rejects Fortnite’s resubmission, it could be perceived as a punitive measure against Epic Games, potentially damaging Apple’s reputation among developers and consumers. Such a move could also invite further legal scrutiny and regulatory action, especially as Apple’s App Store policies continue to face global criticism.
Conclusion
As Epic Games awaits Apple’s decision on Fortnite’s resubmission, the tech industry watches closely. This case underscores the ongoing tension between platform owners and developers over control, revenue sharing, and the boundaries of competition. The resolution of this dispute could reshape the landscape of app distribution and monetization for years to come.
