Fortnite Relaunches on iOS After Long Absence

- Fortnite Returns to iOS App Store - At Least for US Players

- This likely concludes the multi-year legal dispute between Epic and tech giants

- Apple and Google emerge as the ultimate losers from Epic's landmark 2020 lawsuit

After endless speculation about Fortnite's iOS comeback, we finally have confirmation - the battle royale powerhouse is officially back on iPhones with no restrictions! Well, currently US-only availability marks this historic moment following years of courtroom clashes.

The Platform Wars Finale

As most gamers recall, Epic intentionally provoked Apple (and later Google) in 2020 by implementing direct payment options in Fortnite, bypassing the App Store's 30% commission requirement.

What followed became mobile gaming's most consequential legal showdown, with both sides scoring victories and setbacks. But looking back, Apple and Google sustained the heaviest blows - forced to relax policies, reduce fees, and permit third-party storefronts.

What This Means for Players

The immediate player impact remains uncertain. While developers already offer cross-platform purchases and third-party stores like Epic Games Store distribute freebies, the real revolution happens behind closed doors.

For over a decade, Apple and Google enjoyed absolute control over mobile distribution. Epic's legal crusadep cracked this monopoly wide open. Now the industry watches to see whether this sparks genuine competition or merely incremental changes.

Want to explore gaming beyond mainstream stores? Check out our Off the AppStore feature highlighting exceptional independent releases.