Fortnite Unavailable on iPhones in EU and US Amid Ongoing Epic Games–Apple Dispute
Fortnite is unavailable on iPhones in the EU and US as Epic Games and Apple reignite their legal battle over app store policies and game access.
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Popular online game Fortnite is once again unavailable on Apple devices in both the European Union and the United States, according to an update from Epic Games. The game’s removal comes amid a prolonged legal battle between Epic and Apple, reigniting tensions over app store policies and antitrust concerns.
Epic confirmed on Friday that Fortnite cannot currently be accessed through Apple’s iOS or the App Store in either region. The company attributed the situation to Apple’s refusal to unblock the game, though Apple contends that it only asked Epic to resubmit an app update excluding access to the U.S. storefront in order to prevent disruptions elsewhere.
“We did not take any action to remove the live version of Fortnite from alternative distribution marketplaces,” an Apple spokesperson clarified.
Ongoing Legal Battle
Epic Games, the U.S.-based studio behind Fortnite and backed by Chinese tech giant Tencent, has been in a legal standoff with Apple since 2020. At the heart of the dispute is Apple’s policy of charging up to 30% commission on in-app purchases — a practice Epic argues violates U.S. antitrust laws.
Late Friday, Epic filed a request with a U.S. judge in California to hold Apple in contempt of court, claiming Apple is defying an earlier ruling by blocking the return of Fortnite to the App Store.
In the filing, Epic accused Apple of “blatant retaliation” for challenging its business practices, stating:
“Apple’s blocking of the app is a deliberate move to undermine Epic’s efforts to hold it accountable for anticompetitive behavior.”
Apple has not yet issued a comment on the latest court filing as of this report.
Background and Recent Developments
Apple originally banned Fortnite from its App Store in 2020 after Epic implemented a direct payment system to bypass Apple’s commission fees. The game was reinstated in the EU last year after pressure from regulators enforcing the Digital Markets Act, which aims to increase competition in digital services.
Apple also previously approved Epic’s game store app for iPhones and iPads in the EU.
Earlier this month, Epic secured a legal victory against Apple, though the broader dispute remains unresolved.
