Epic Games has announced that Fortnite will be unavailable on iPhones and iPads globally due to a dispute with Apple over the game’s release in the App Store. The video game maker claims that Apple blocked its submission, preventing Fortnite’s availability worldwide.
Apple stated that it asked Epic Sweden to resubmit the app update without including the US storefront of the App Store, but did not take any action against the live version of Fortnite on alternative distribution marketplaces. This is the latest development in the ongoing feud between Apple and Epic Games, which began over a year ago.
In 2020, Epic Games filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the technology company was using its power to gouge game makers. A district judge ruled in favor of Apple last year, but also ordered the company to loosen its control over in-app commerce and allow links to alternative payment options.
Epic has reacted strongly to this latest move by Apple, which it claims is an attempt to undermine the court’s ruling and prevent Fortnite from returning to the iPhone app store. The dispute has resulted in Fortnite being unavailable on iPhones and iPads globally until Apple unblocks it.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/may/16/epic-games-apple-fortnite-app-store