Apple Blocks Fortnite on iOS Despite EU Laws
Apple Blocks Fortnite‘s Return to iOS, Reigniting Epic Games Feud
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Fans of Epic Games’ popular battle royale, Fortnite, are facing
another setback. Less than a year after its return to European iOS devices
due to new digital market legislation, Apple has once again blocked the game.
This move signals a resurgence of tensions between the tech giant and the
video game company.
Fortnite’s European Access Halted
European players had been able to download Fortnite through the
alternative Epic Games Store as August 2024. However, this workaround
proved insufficient to prevent another ban. The ability to download
Fortnite has been disabled on the european market application,
following the rejection of the application’s overall deployment.
Epic Games Responds
Epic Games announced the block via the game’s official X account. “Apple has
blocked our Fortnite submission,so we cannot release to the US App Store or
to the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union.unfortunately,
Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it,” the
company stated.
Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission so we cannot release to the US App
Store or to the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union. Now, sadly,
Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it.
— Fortnite (@fortnite)
May 16, 2025
Apple’s Stance and Legal Battles
Earlier this month, epic Games attempted to submit fortnite for
general deployment on the App Store.This request was spurred by a recent
legal victory concerning payments made through app Store-downloaded
applications, according to a
report by Reuters. The verdict compels Apple to allow payments outside the App Store, a
decision apple is appealing.
Apple appears to be leveraging this renewed legal conflict to challenge Epic
Games’ procedure. This action impacts the game’s availability even on
third-party stores.
Impact on Players
Even if Fortnite is already installed on an iOS device,it became
unusable on Friday,May 16,2025. The conflict between Epic and Apple
originated in 2020, and recent legal outcomes have favored Epic games.
Therefore, it is plausible that Fortnite will eventually return to
iOS platforms. The situation remains ongoing.
# Fortnite’s iOS Setback: Apple Blocks Game’s Return, Sparking Renewed Feud
This article will explore the recent events surrounding *Fortnite*’s ongoing challenges with Apple. We’ll break down the situation, providing clear and concise answers to key questions.
## Why is *Fortnite* unavailable on iOS?
Apple has blocked *Fortnite*’s submission to both the US App Store and the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union. As a result, *Fortnite* is currently offline worldwide on iOS devices. This decision stems from the ongoing conflict between Apple and Epic Games.
## What happened to *Fortnite*’s European access?
European players were previously able to download *Fortnite* through the Epic Games Store, starting in August 2024.However, this method did not prevent Apple from blocking the game’s deployment on the European market.
## what did Epic Games say about the block?
Epic Games announced the block via its official X (formerly Twitter) account. The company stated, “Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission so we cannot release to the US App Store or to the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union.Now, sadly, Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it.”
## What’s behind Apple’s decision?
The root of the issue lies in the long-standing legal dispute between Apple and Epic games. This includes a legal victory for Epic Games concerning in-app payments,as,according to a report by *Reuters*,a recent verdict compels Apple to allow payments outside the App store. Apple is appealing this decision. Apple seems to be using this legal conflict to challenge Epic Games’ procedures, impacting *Fortnite*’s availability even on third-party stores.
## When did the conflict between Apple and Epic Games begin?
The conflict between Epic and Apple originated in 2020.
## How does this affect *Fortnite* players?
Even if *Fortnite* was already installed on an iOS device, it became unusable on Friday, May 16, 2025.
## Will *Fortnite* return to iOS?
The situation is ongoing, and recent legal outcomes have favored Epic Games. Thus, it is indeed plausible that *Fortnite* will eventually return to iOS platforms.
## Timeline of Events
Here’s a summary of the key events:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 2024 | *Fortnite* becomes available on iOS via the Epic Games Store in Europe. |
| May 2025 (early) | Epic Games attempts to submit *Fortnite* for general deployment on the App Store. |
| May 16, 2025 | Apple blocks *Fortnite*’s submission, rendering the game unavailable on iOS worldwide. |