Epic Video games says Apple has blocked its try so as to add Fortnite to the iOS App Retailer.
The sport was submitted to Apple for evaluation on Could 9, however on Could 14 Epic CEO Tim Sweeney advised followers on X that Apple nonetheless hadn’t authorised the sport’s launch.
Now the sport’s official X account has posted a press release saying the sport’s addition to the iOS App Retailer has been blocked, and that the sport will likely be unavailable globally on iOS till Apple reverses its determination.
“Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission so we can not launch to the US App Retailer or to the Epic Video games Retailer for iOS within the European Union,” the assertion reads. “Now, sadly, Fortnite on iOS will likely be offline worldwide till Apple unblocks it.”
That is the most recent chapter within the ongoing Epic vs Apple saga which stretches again to 2020, when the Fortnite writer sued Apple for taking a 30% minimize on all in-app purchases whereas additionally banning any alternative routes of creating funds exterior of Apple’s ecosystem.
Epic tried to bypass Apple’s platform charges in 2020 by including a brand new direct cost choice in Fortnite, however Apple then eliminated the sport from the App Retailer and terminated Epic’s developer account.
Apple was then ordered in 2021 to permit iOS builders to hyperlink to exterior cost choices of their apps, however when it did so it additionally added a 27% fee on purchases made by means of internet hyperlinks in apps, in addition to prompts warning customers in regards to the security dangers of utilizing internet hyperlink purchases.
Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission so we can not launch to the US App Retailer or to the Epic Video games Retailer for iOS within the European Union. Now, sadly, Fortnite on iOS will likely be offline worldwide till Apple unblocks it.
— Fortnite (@Fortnite) Could 16, 2025
Earlier this month a US choose ordered Apple to cease forcing the 27% fee and utilizing its prompts, stating that it had violated a 2021 injunction and that VP Alex Roman had “outright lied beneath oath”, that means the corporate may now face felony contempt fees.
Epic responded to the order by saying it was making ready to carry Fortnite again to the iOS App Retailer in Could, and likewise launched a change to its Epic Rewards plan which now provides gamers 20% again in rewards in the event that they make Fortnite, Rocket League or Falls Guys purchases immediately by means of Epic as an alternative of by means of a platform’s cost system.
On Wednesday, nonetheless, Sweeney expressed his frustration at how lengthy it was taking Apple to approve the sport’s launch, telling one follower: “No information from Apple but. They’ve had it since final Friday.”
Sweeney additionally defined to a different follower this week that platform holders are anticipated to assist the discharge of apps and common updates relating to frequently evolving reside service video games, and that if an organization like Apple “obstructs” the method it hinders the sport’s means to work.
“Our launch planning depends on platforms supporting app builders like us releasing apps,” he stated. “There is no such thing as a method a quickly evolving multi-platform sport like Fortnite can function if platforms use their energy or processes to impede.”
