Fortnite is now available again on Apple’s iPhone and iPad App Store in the United States after nearly four years of being banned. The long-running dispute between Apple and Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, has been resolved, allowing the popular game to come back.
Epic Games announced the return of Fortnite on Tuesday, confirming the game’s availability on Apple devices in the US. Fortnite also reappeared on other platforms like the Epic Games Store and AltStore in Europe, giving players more ways to access the game.
The conflict began in 2020 when Apple removed Fortnite from its App Store. Epic tried to bypass Apple’s commission fees on in-app purchases by using its own payment system. This led to a major lawsuit, with Epic accusing Apple of monopolistic behavior in controlling the app market.
In 2021, a federal judge ruled Apple was not violating antitrust laws but ordered the company to allow developers to link to outside payment options. Apple resisted the ruling and appealed multiple times, including to the Supreme Court.
Under pressure, Apple created a new policy charging a 27 percent fee on payments made through external links. Epic claimed this violated the court order and accused Apple of ignoring the judge’s instructions.
In late April, a judge issued a contempt ruling against Apple, forbidding the company from collecting fees on alternative payment methods. The judge criticized Apple’s refusal to comply and demanded immediate action.
Despite this, Apple continued to block Fortnite’s return, prompting Epic to ask for an emergency court order. A hearing was set for May 27 to discuss the issue. On Tuesday, Apple filed a court statement confirming the dispute was settled. Fortnite then reappeared on the US App Store.
While US players can now download Fortnite on Apple devices, the game remains unavailable on Apple’s App Store in many other countries. The larger legal fight over app store fees and policies between Apple and Epic is still ongoing.
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Richard Parks is a dedicated news reporter at New York Mirror, known for his in-depth analysis and clear reporting on general news. With years of experience, Richard covers a broad spectrum of topics, ensuring readers stay updated on the latest developments.
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