Epic Games Pushes Apple to Let Fortnite Back into the App Store
Why Epic Games Is Still Fighting Apple (And What It Means for Gamers)
Have you ever tried to play a game you loved, only to find it’s no longer available on your phone? That’s exactly what happened with Fortnite, one of the world’s most popular video games. The game disappeared from Apple’s App Store back in 2020, and fans have been left waiting ever since.
Now, years later, Epic Games is back in court asking a judge to make Apple approve Fortnite so it can finally return to the App Store.
But how did we get here? And why does this battle matter not just for Fortnite fans, but for the future of mobile gaming?
Let’s break it down in simple terms.
The Backstory: Why Fortnite Was Removed from the App Store
You might remember August 2020. Fortnite was *everywhere.* People of all ages were playing, dancing to in-game emotes, and creating virtual hangouts. But that same month, Apple took Fortnite off the App Store.
Why?
Because Epic Games added a new way for players to buy in-game items without going through Apple’s payment system.
Apple wasn’t too happy about that. Under their rules, any digital purchase made in an iOS app has to use Apple’s system — where Apple takes a 30% commission. Epic didn’t agree with that. They believed this cut was too high and unfair to developers.
So, Epic tried to bypass Apple’s rules. In return, Apple kicked Fortnite out of the App Store.
The two tech giants have been in a legal tug-of-war ever since.
The Latest Legal Move: Epic is Asking for Help from the Court
After years of lawsuits, courtrooms, and appeals, Epic Games is making another bold move. They’ve formally asked a judge to force Apple to approve Epic’s developer account in Sweden so they can launch their own app store on iPhones — and finally bring Fortnite back.
Sounds confusing? Let’s simplify.
Basically, Epic wants to use a loophole created by new European regulations and re-launch the game on Apple devices through their own storefront. But they need Apple to approve their developer account in Sweden to do that.
So far, Apple hasn’t given the green light.
That’s why Epic is going back to court, saying Apple is violating the rules set by judges in earlier lawsuits, which told Apple not to block developers from telling users about other ways to pay or use alternative marketplaces.
Europe’s New Rules Are Shaking Things Up
How can Epic pull this off when Apple has been so strict before?
The answer lies in a new law in the European Union called the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This law is designed to limit the power of big tech companies like Apple by requiring them to allow more openness on their platforms.
One of the key parts of the DMA? It requires Apple to let other companies create and distribute their own app stores for iOS devices — but only within the EU.
Epic saw that as an opportunity. They created a new developer account in Sweden, hoping to launch the “Epic Games Store” in Europe and bring Fortnite back to iPhones through that channel.
So far, though, Apple hasn’t returned their calls — or more accurately, hasn’t approved their request.
Epic’s Argument: Apple Is Still Playing Dirty
Epic claims that by stalling or refusing to approve their developer account, Apple is once again abusing its power. They say Apple never had a good reason to cancel their previous developer license, and now they’re just making things harder than necessary.
According to Epic, this delay goes against the court rulings from previous cases as well as EU law.
That’s why Epic wants a judge to step in — they can’t launch the Epic Games Store or Fortnite on iOS in the EU until Apple approves the account.
Why This Matters to You
You might be wondering: Why should I care about this tech fight?
Good question! Here are a few reasons why it matters:
- More choices for gamers: If Epic wins, you might not need to rely only on the App Store to get your favorite games.
- Lower prices: With more competition, developers could avoid Apple’s 30% fee, possibly passing the savings along to you — the player.
- Fairer rules: Smaller game creators may gain a fairer shot at thriving without being squeezed by high platform fees.
Think about it the way you’d think about shopping. Imagine if there was only one store in your town and they marked up everything by 30%. If another shop tried to open but wasn’t allowed, that would seem unfair, right?
That’s pretty much what Epic argues is happening with Apple’s App Store.
Fortnite’s Not Just a Game — It’s a Platform
What’s interesting is that Fortnite isn’t just a game anymore. It’s become a kind of digital universe: a place where people hang out, attend virtual concerts, and even build their own game experiences.
Epic wants to expand that ecosystem even more — especially on mobile, where so many people play games every day.
Getting locked out of the iPhone, one of the world’s most-used devices, means missing millions of gamers and creators.
Epic’s CEO Tim Sweeney has been vocal about their mission. In fact, he said this legal battle is about fighting for all developers and users, not just Epic.
The Bottom Line: Stay Tuned
So what happens next?
That’s up to the judge. If the court agrees with Epic, Apple may have to approve the Swedish developer account and allow Fortnite back on iOS in parts of Europe through the Epic Games Store.
But if Apple wins, the road for Fortnite’s return could get even longer and bumpier.
One thing’s for sure: this case will shape how much control Apple — and other tech giants — can have over our digital lives.
What Do You Think?
Do you think Apple should allow Epic back in? Should companies like Epic be able to create their own app stores on iPhones?
Let us know in the comments — and don’t forget to share this with your fellow gamers!
Because whether you play Fortnite or not, this fight affects the future of how we all use our phones. 👾📱
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Stay tuned for future updates — and maybe, just maybe, we’ll be dropping into Fortnite again from an iPhone near you.