Fortnite iOS Return: Coming Back to the App Store Next Week!

Fortnite's Potential Return to the iOS App Store

Epic Games’ immensely popular Fortnite is poised for a comeback to the U.S. iOS App Store next week. This follows a recent decision in the protracted legal conflict with Apple.

The Origins of the Dispute

The contention between Epic and Apple originated in 2020. Apple removed Epic Games from the iOS App Store after Epic implemented a system for direct payments within Fortnite. This was done to circumvent Apple’s standard 30% commission on in-app purchases.

Subsequently, in the following year, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers determined that Apple could not prohibit developers, such as Epic, from including links directing customers to alternative platforms for purchasing digital goods. This would allow them to avoid the 30% fee imposed by Apple.

Recent Ruling and Apple's Non-Compliance

However, almost four years later, on Wednesday, Judge Rogers issued a ruling stating that Apple was in “willful violation” of the previous injunction. This injunction permitted developers to guide customers toward payment options that bypassed Apple’s fees.

The judge stated, “The assumption that this Court would accept such defiance was a significant error in judgment. Furthermore, attempts to conceal the issue only exacerbated the situation. This Court will not revisit the matter.”

Despite the 2021 ruling, Fortnite remained unavailable on the iOS App Store. At that time, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney indicated the app’s return was contingent upon offering “in-app payment in fair competition with Apple in-app payment, passing along the savings to consumers.”

Fortnite's Imminent Return to iOS

Following Judge Rogers’ recent decision, Sweeney announced that Fortnite will once again be accessible to iOS users in the U.S.

“Apple’s 15-30% excessive charges are now defunct in the United States, mirroring their status in Europe under the Digital Markets Act. They are considered unlawful in both regions,” Sweeney explained, noting the duration of the legal battle: four years, four months, and seventeen days.

Future Prospects and Global Expansion

Nevertheless, Sweeney is urging Apple to broaden the scope of the U.S. ruling internationally before reinstating Fortnite on the App Store worldwide. This is a request Apple appears unlikely to fulfill, as they intend to appeal the current ruling.

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