Apple Bends The Knee To Epic: Fortnite Is Coming Back To iPhone

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The notion that Fortnite would be available on iPhones again within the US iOS App Store had long been a distant dream for many gamers. However, it appears that this wish is now becoming a reality.

When Epic Games was removed from the App Store in 2020 for not using Apple’s in-app purchase method, it sparked a lengthy court battle that seemed destined to continue indefinitely.

In a recent decision, the court allowed Fortnite back onto the scene and levied accusations against Apple for breaching an earlier court ruling. This judgment could potentially lead to contempt proceedings against Apple in the future.

As a passionate gamer, I found myself at odds with a tricky situation – Apple’s tight grip on the revenue model of apps was the root cause. When Epic decided to introduce its own payment system within Fortnite, Apple swiftly retaliated by booting the game off their platform and cutting off Epic from further development.

In response, Epic took legal action under antitrust laws, arguing that Apple was misusing its dominance by charging a 30% fee for all in-app transactions and prohibiting developers from providing alternative payment methods.

Back in the day, I thought Apple was dominating the gaming scene, but everything took a turn for the unexpected in April 2025. That’s when Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers decided that Apple had intentionally violated an injunction from 2021. It wasn’t the victory I was hoping for, but it certainly shook things up!

It was pointed out that their solution for handling external payments was essentially just a new label for the same previous limitation. Notably, Apple aimed to continue charging a 27% commission on transactions occurring outside its App Store, despite being advised not to influence developers’ options to direct users towards other payment platforms.

The court alleged that Apple intentionally designed a complex setup to make adherence appear as an option rather than a requirement. The judge pointed out internal Apple records that went against previous court testimonies, implying that the company’s executives deliberately chose the least competitive and most detrimental path.

Following the court decision, Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic, swiftly declared that Fortnite would be back on iOS in the U.S. on X. He didn’t stop there; he also presented a peace offering, which he termed as a “peace proposal.” In this offer, Sweeney suggested to Apple that if they implemented a commission-free system globally, Epic would reinstate Fortnite worldwide and withdraw all existing and future legal disputes.

In essence, this wasn’t merely an issue of Fortnite, but rather it was about ensuring equal opportunities for all game developers to challenge Apple’s payment system. As he put it, the objective has consistently been clear: a balanced environment where consumers can freely decide what works best without undue restrictions or manipulation.

Despite all the court disputes, this return is significant news. It erodes the barriers Apple has built around its App Store, possibly altering how developers generate income from iOS games.

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The legal battles aside, this comeback is making headlines. It’s chipping away at Apple’s App Store fortifications, potentially redefining how developers make money from iOS games.

This move by Epic likewise indicates their plan to restructure the balance of power between platform managers and creators. Given the unexpected events this year, it’s certainly one of the more striking developments.

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2025-05-01 07:42