The wait is almost over if you’ve been waiting for Fortnite to return to your iPhone. After nearly four years away, Fortnite will finally return to the iOS App Store in the United States next week. The return follows a dramatic new ruling in the long-running legal dispute between Epic Games and Apple.
It all began in 2020 when Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store. The reason? Epic Games had added its payment system to the app, which allowed players to buy items directly—avoiding Apple’s 30% fee on in-app purchases. This move quickly led to a legal fight.
In 2021, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple could not stop developers from offering links or buttons that lead users to other ways to pay. These alternative payments wouldn’t be subject to Apple’s fees, and it seemed like a win for Epic. However, Fortnite didn’t return to iOS at the time. Epic’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, clarified that the game would only come back when it could offer fair payment options and pass those savings on to players.
Apple was found to have broken the court order
Fast forward to May 1, and the same judge found Apple in “willful violation” of the earlier court order. According to Rogers, Apple had not followed the rules allowing developers to direct users to payment methods outside Apple’s system.
“That it thought this Court would tolerate such insubordination was a gross miscalculation. As always, the coverup made it worse,” said Rogers. She added, “There is no second bite at the apple,” showing her frustration with Apple’s response.
This ruling means Apple can no longer block links that send users to outside payment options. For developers, that’s a huge step forward. For players, it means more choice and possibly better prices on the items they buy in games like Fortnite.
Epic celebrates Fortnite to return next week
In response to the ruling, Tim Sweeney announced that Fortnite will return to the iOS App Store in the US next week. He didn’t give an exact day, but his message clarified that Epic is celebrating the moment.
“Apple’s 15–30% junk fees are now just as dead here in the United States of America as they are in Europe under the Digital Markets Act,” Sweeney wrote. “Unlawful here, unlawful there.”
NO FEES on web transactions. Game over for the Apple Tax.
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) April 30, 2025
Apple’s 15-30% junk fees are now just as dead here in the United States of America as they are in Europe under the Digital Markets Act. Unlawful here, unlawful there.
4 years 4 months 17 days. https://t.co/RucrsX7Z4A pic.twitter.com/3kSYnt5pcI
He also pointed out how long the legal battle has taken—four years, four months, and seventeen days. Despite the delay, Epic is preparing to bring Fortnite back to millions of mobile players who have missed out since 2020.
So, if you’re a Fortnite fan using an iPhone or iPad, get ready. Your favourite game is about to make a comeback, and this time, it’s doing so on its terms.
