Fortnite Makes a Comeback on the US iPhone App Store, Ending Apple’s Restrictions

The widely acclaimed video game Fortnite has made its comeback to the US iPhone App Store, ending a prolonged absence due to a legal dispute over the fees Apple enforced annually via its payment system, which the tech giant has had to revise.

Fortnite, one of the most popular games globally, celebrated the much-anticipated return of its app to iPhone and iPad in a post on Tuesday, marking its availability on these devices for the first time since Apple removed it in 2020 to circumvent the 15% to 30% commissions on in-app transactions.

“Fortnite is back on iPhone and iPads in the App Store in the US. It’s also returning on Epic Games and Altstore in the EU! Check out a Tweet from the official game account. As a result of the legal battles with Apple, Epic has launched its own digital store.

The game, featuring a virtual battle on a digital island, returned just days after its parent company Epic Games requested a federal judge to mandate its restoration as part of a civil discovery process against Apple initiated late last month. Last week, the game temporarily disappeared from Apple devices globally and was inaccessible in several countries.

In a succinct court filing on Tuesday, Apple stated that the dispute preventing Fortnite from accessing iOS has been resolved. The tech company from Cupertino, California, did not instantly reply to requests for additional statements.

These legal conflicts are rooted in an enduring feud. Epic has accused Apple of converting the App Store into an illegal monopoly. This accusation was previously unfavorably ruled on in 2021 by a federal judge following a month-long trial.

The judge concluded that Apple had not breached antitrust regulations but ordered the company to relax its grip on in-app payment systems and permit links to alternative payment methods that could present lower costs.

After exhausting appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court last year, Apple allowed linking to alternative payment options while introducing a new structure that imposes a 27% charge for in-app transactions completed outside its own system.

Epic was incensed by Apple’s attempts to evade the legal process, reigniting court hearings that had lingered for nearly a year before Gonzalez Rogers delivered her decisive verdict, including a prohibition on any commission collection from alternative payment options.

While it appeared that Fortnite was paving the way for its re-entry to iPhone and iPad, last week Epic stated that the game remained blocked by Apple. Claiming it was permissible to maintain Fortnite while Apple pursued the implications of Gonzalez Rogers’ previous ruling, Epic pressed the matter by requesting the judge for a clear order permitting the game on iPhones and iPads.

On Monday, Gonzalez Rogers inquired why Apple continued to obstruct Fortnite’s return without an order from the Court of Appeal. She stated, “Apple can completely resolve this issue without further briefings or hearings,” as she reviewed Epic’s recent actions, anticipating a hearing on May 27th.