Epic Games announced that Fortnite is now offline on all iOS devices worldwide after Apple blocked the game’s return to the App Store in the United States. The popular game cannot be downloaded or played on iPhones or iPads until Apple allows it again.
Epic Games shared on social media that Apple prevented their submission of Fortnite to both the US App Store and the Epic Games Store for iOS users in the European Union. This means Fortnite is currently unavailable on iOS everywhere.
Background of the Apple-Epic Dispute
Fortnite was removed from Apple’s App Store in 2020 after Epic Games tried to avoid Apple’s 30% commission by directing users to purchase items through its own website. A judge recently ruled that Apple cannot charge commissions on purchases made outside of an iOS app.
Since last year, Fortnite was available in Europe on iPhones through Epic’s own digital store, thanks to new EU rules allowing third-party app stores under the Digital Markets Act. But now, Epic says Apple also blocked Fortnite on its own iOS Epic Games Store in the EU.
Apple has not yet responded to requests for comment about this latest block. Fans of Fortnite on iOS will have to wait until the dispute is resolved before the game returns.
