Fortnite Returns: Epic Reclaims a Spot on Apple App Store

After nearly five years of absence, Epic Games’ popular multiplayer shooting game Fortnite has returned to the Apple App Store in the United States. The game was originally removed from the platform in 2020 due to a dispute over in-app payment policies, according to a report by Reuters.

Epic Games had filed a lawsuit against Apple, accusing the tech giant of violating U.S. antitrust laws. Recently, a U.S. federal judge ruled that Apple had failed to comply with a previous court order and was found to be hindering competition in app downloads and payments.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced the game’s return on the X platform, stating, "We’re back."

Analysts have suggested that while the return is a significant legal victory for Epic, Fortnite may not regain its previous level of popularity. However, the move could have notable implications for Apple’s services business. It also signals potential positive changes for other subscription-based apps like Spotify and Netflix, which have long expressed concerns over Apple’s platform restrictions.