Fortnite has finally made its way back to the U.S. Apple App Store after being banned for nearly five years. iPhone and iPad users can now once again download and play the popular battle royale game directly from the App Store.
Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, shared the news on X (formerly Twitter) with a celebratory post. The iOS version of the game now shows up on the App Store just like it did before it was removed in 2020. There is even a new message at the top of the game’s description: “Fortnite is back!”
Fortnite was removed from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in August 2020. The ban happened after Epic rolled out an update that allowed players to buy V-Bucks (Fortnite’s in-game currency) directly from Epic instead of through Apple’s or Google’s payment systems.
This move was a direct challenge to the high commission fees that Apple and Google charge on in-app purchases. Epic called those fees “exorbitant” and decided to bypass them. In response, Apple and Google removed Fortnite from their stores, triggering a legal battle that went on for years.
The ban led to a lawsuit between Epic Games and Apple. Epic argued that Apple’s App Store practices were unfair and anti-competitive. The legal case went through various courts over the years, and while Epic did not win on all counts, some changes were forced.
In April 2025, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney announced that Fortnite would return to the App Store in early May. However, the return was slightly delayed due to ongoing issues with Apple. Now, the wait is finally over.
As of now, some users may still have trouble finding Fortnite by searching in the App Store. Epic says this will be fixed soon. In the meantime, you can access Fortnite directly through its revived App Store page if you have the link.
For users in the European Union, Fortnite is also available via the Epic Games Store and AltStore. These options were made possible by new rules under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which allows third-party App Stores on iOS devices.
Players who download Fortnite on iOS will be able to buy V-Bucks either through the Epic Games Store or using Apple’s in-app purchase system. If you choose to buy a 2,800 V-Bucks pack for $22.99 and pay directly through Epic, you will get 20% back ($4.60) to use on other Epic products.
This dual-payment option gives players more control and also helps Epic avoid some of the App Store fees that caused the original conflict.
Fortnite’s return to iOS is a big moment for mobile gaming. Millions of users who were cut off from the game due to the legal battle can now jump back in. It also marks a major shift in how developers and platform owners handle in-app purchases and App Store policies.
With Fortnite back on iPhones and iPads, mobile gamers once again have access to one of the most popular games in the world, and with new options that were not available before.
