The future of Fortnite’s availability on iOS devices in the United Kingdom is currently in limbo. This uncertainty stems from the recent decisions made by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which have not mandated immediate changes to Apple’s App Store policies. As a result, Epic Games, the developer behind Fortnite, has expressed concerns about the game’s potential return to iPhones in the region.
CMA’s Recent Actions and Epic Games’ Response
On July 23, 2025, the CMA unveiled its roadmap under the new Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Act. This plan recommends designating tech giants Apple and Google as entities with strategic market status. Such a designation would subject both companies to increased scrutiny and obligations aimed at fostering competition within the digital marketplace. However, Epic Games has voiced dissatisfaction with this approach.
In a candid blog post, Epic Games stated, 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 criticized the CMA for not prioritizing the opening of mobile platforms to alternative app stores, despite acknowledging the dominant positions held by Apple and Google in the market.
Epic Games’ Critique of the CMA’s Roadmap
Epic Games did not mince words in its critique of the CMA’s guidance, labeling it a missed opportunity to disrupt what it perceives as parallel monopolies within the mobile app ecosystem. The company highlighted more aggressive regulatory actions in countries like Brazil and Japan, where new laws have paved the way for both the Epic Games Store and Fortnite to make a comeback later this year.
The CMA’s current strategy includes plans to monitor the behaviors of Apple and Google for up to five years. There is also the possibility of requiring Apple to permit sideloading and third-party app stores in the future. However, these measures are still in their early stages. Epic Games contends that the regulator’s current stance allows Apple to prolong the process unnecessarily.
Furthermore, Epic Games expressed concerns about the CMA’s position on anti-steering provisions. The company warned of potential malicious compliance by Apple unless more robust and enforceable rules are established. It pointed to the rollout of Europe’s Digital Markets Act as a cautionary example, where Apple introduced additional fees and barriers that diminished the law’s intended impact.
Unless Apple and Google are completely blocked from imposing fees and discriminating against apps using out-of-app payment, we can expect years of malicious compliance ahead, Epic Games stated.
Apple’s Legal Maneuvers in the United States
In a related development, Apple is challenging a U.S. court order from April that mandated the company to open its App Store to external payment options. Apple is now referencing a June U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limits the scope of universal injunctions issued by federal judges.
In a filing to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Apple argued that the Supreme Court’s decision supports its appeal and undermines the basis for the injunction that required changes to the App Store. Additionally, Apple contested a contempt finding from the same U.S. judge, who had previously stated that Apple defied earlier court orders to maintain its substantial revenue stream.
Epic Games had initially sued Apple in 2020 over its stringent control of app distribution and payments on iOS devices. A U.S. court in 2021 ordered Apple to allow developers to direct users to alternative payment systems. This order is now central to Apple’s ongoing appeal.
Epic Games views its recent legal victory in the U.S. as a benchmark for enforcing real competition. In its blog post, the company noted that the U.S. court set a standard that compelled genuine competition and directly benefited users of apps like Spotify and Amazon.
If the UK refuses to follow suit, Epic Games warned, Fortnite may stay off iPhones here indefinitely.
The Broader Implications for the UK Market
The CMA’s decision to delay immediate action on Apple’s App Store policies has broader implications for the UK digital market. By not enforcing immediate changes, the CMA risks allowing existing monopolistic practices to persist, potentially stifling innovation and limiting consumer choice.
Epic Games’ frustration is indicative of a larger concern among developers who feel constrained by the current app store ecosystems. The company’s comparison to regulatory actions in Brazil and Japan underscores a global movement towards more open and competitive digital marketplaces.
Looking Ahead: Potential Outcomes and Industry Reactions
As the situation unfolds, several potential outcomes could emerge:
1. Regulatory Reassessment: The CMA might reconsider its current stance and implement more immediate measures to open the mobile app ecosystem to alternative app stores. This could involve enforcing sideloading capabilities and reducing the control that Apple and Google have over app distribution.
2. Legal Challenges: Epic Games and other developers may pursue legal action to challenge the CMA’s decisions, seeking to expedite changes that would allow for greater competition within the app marketplace.
3. Market Adaptation: In response to regulatory pressures and developer demands, Apple and Google might voluntarily adjust their policies to allow for more flexibility in app distribution and payment systems, thereby preempting stricter regulations.
4. Consumer Advocacy: Increased awareness and advocacy from consumers could pressure both regulators and tech companies to prioritize user choice and fair competition within the digital marketplace.
Conclusion
The uncertainty surrounding Fortnite’s return to iOS devices in the UK highlights the complexities of regulating digital marketplaces dominated by a few major players. While the CMA’s current roadmap aims to address competition concerns, the lack of immediate action has drawn criticism from developers like Epic Games. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the UK will adopt more aggressive measures to foster a competitive and open digital market, or if delays will continue to hinder the return of popular applications like Fortnite to iOS users in the region.
