After no less than five years of legal feuds between Apple and Epic Games, Fortnite is once again available on the U.S. App Store, Apple having finally approved Epic Games’ app submission, bringing the game back to the iPhone and the iPad.
Apple initially did not plan to allow Fortnite back in the App Store, but the judge overseeing the ongoing legal battle between the two companies yesterday suggested that Apple and Epic Games work things out or face more time in court. The judge threatened to require the Apple official that oversees app decisions to appear in person in court, which apparently was enough to spur Apple to allow the game back on the App Store.
Fortnite is available from both the iOS App Store in the United States, and from the Epic Games Store alternative app marketplace in the European Union. It is not available on the App Store in other countries. The U.S. version of Fortnite includes an option for players to purchase in-app currency using the Epic Games website, with no in-app purchases.
Apple had initially planned to prevent Fortnite from returning to the App Store until the ongoing legal dispute had been settled. The company is presently appealing the court’s ruling that forced it to change its U.S. App Store rules to allow developers to link customers to purchase options available outside of the App Store.
Fortnite is available for free and requires iOS 17.4 or later or iPadOS 17.4 or later to install and run.
If you’ve had a chance to try the iPhone/iPad version of Fortnite, please let us know about your experience in the comments.