Apple has blocked Fortnite from its App Store in the United States and the European Union, leaving the popular battle royale game unavailable on iOS devices worldwide. The move comes amid ongoing legal disputes between Apple and Epic Games, with the gaming company accusing Apple of monopolistic practices in its app marketplace.
Epic Games confirmed the development on Friday, stating that Fortnite would remain offline on iOS globally until Apple unblocks it. The company did not provide a specific reason for the removal but highlighted its long-standing legal battle with Apple over app store policies and commission fees.
The dispute between the two companies dates back to 2020 when Apple banned Fortnite from its store after Epic Games introduced an alternative payment system that bypassed Apple’s 30% commission on in-app purchases. The legal battle intensified, with Epic Games arguing that Apple’s policies violated U.S. antitrust laws. While Apple reinstated Fortnite in Europe last year following regulatory pressure under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, the latest move has once again disrupted the game’s availability.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has publicly criticized Apple’s decision, taking to social media to call out Apple CEO Tim Cook. “Hi Tim. How about if you let our mutual customers access Fortnite? Just a thought,” Sweeney posted on X, urging Apple to reconsider its stance.
The legal battle has also drawn scrutiny from U.S. courts. Earlier this month, a federal judge ruled that Apple had willfully violated a court order requiring it to allow developers to offer alternative payment methods. The judge referred Apple and one of its executives to federal prosecutors for a criminal contempt investigation, further escalating tensions between the tech giant and Epic Games.
As Fortnite remains inaccessible on iOS devices, players and industry analysts are closely watching how the dispute unfolds, with potential implications for app store regulations and digital marketplace competition worldwide.
