Fortnite Returns to iPhones in the EU: What It Means for Gamers and Apple

After a four-year hiatus, Fortnite has made its comeback on iPhones—but only for players in the European Union (EU). This re-entry marks a significant moment for both Epic Games and Apple, driven by new EU regulations that require Apple to allow third-party app stores on its devices.

Fortnite’s removal from the App Store in 2020 stemmed from a dispute between Apple and Epic Games over payment methods. Now, thanks to the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which took effect in March, iPhone users in the EU can once again download Fortnite—but they’ll need to use alternative app stores to do so. One of the options available is the newly launched Epic Games Store, which has also debuted on Google’s Android devices.

Epic Games acknowledges that the process of installing Fortnite via these alternative app stores is “lengthy” and places the blame squarely on Apple and Google. According to Epic, the tech giants have created “intentionally poor-quality install experiences,” burdened with numerous steps, confusing settings, and warnings that could deter users.

Apple, for its part, has stated that while the new EU laws required them to enable these third-party stores, they’ve worked to make the experience as straightforward as possible, while also prioritizing user privacy and security.

The return of Fortnite coincides with the launch of its new season, themed around Marvel’s Doctor Doom, adding an extra layer of excitement for EU gamers.

While the EU has led the way with its Digital Markets Act, allowing greater competition and choice for developers and consumers, similar laws do not yet exist in other regions. As a result, Fortnite remains unavailable on iPhones outside the EU, with the game accessible only through Apple’s official App Store in those areas. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney took to social media to highlight this disparity, saying, “Fortnite has been freed on iOS in Europe, thanks to the Digital Markets Act,” while lamenting that “Apple continues to block Fortnite from a billion players in the rest of the world.”

The ongoing battle between Epic Games and Apple revolves around what Epic claims is Apple’s monopoly over app distribution, allowing it to charge developers up to 30% in commission on purchases. Google, while charging a similar commission via its Google Play Store, does allow alternative app stores on Android devices, giving users more flexibility. Android users have already been able to download Fortnite directly from Epic Games, bypassing the Google Play Store entirely.

For gamers in the UK, the wait for Fortnite on iPhones continues. While the game can still be played via a web browser, the app is not expected to return to the UK App Store until late 2025. Epic Games hopes to reintroduce Fortnite to UK iPhones by the end of next year, provided that Apple and Google do not succeed in lobbying the UK government to maintain the current restrictions.

With new competition laws passed in the UK in May, the landscape might be shifting in favor of greater competition and choice for consumers. Epic Games has already expanded its app store offerings with other popular titles like Rocket League Sideswipe and Fall Guys, signaling a broader push to challenge the app distribution status quo.

As this battle continues, the reintroduction of Fortnite on iPhones in the EU could be just the beginning of a wider shift in the mobile gaming and app store markets. The fight for greater competition and reduced commissions is far from over, but for now, EU gamers can celebrate the return of one of the world’s most popular games.