- Fortnite could return to iOS for the first time since its removal in 2020, pending Apple's approval.
- Epic used its Swedish developer account, created under the EU's Digital Markets Act, to submit Fortnite to the U.S. App Store.
- Following court rulings, Apple must now allow developers to link to external purchasing options without charging commissions.
Epic Games has officially submitted Fortnite to the U.S. App Store for review, a step that potentially brings the widely popular battle royale game back to iOS devices for the first time since 2020.
Fortnite App Store submission signals comeback amid legal shifts
The Fortnite App Store submission follows major legal and regulatory changes that have reshaped the way developers play in the Apple ecosystem. In 2020, Apple pulled Fortnite from the App Store following Epic Games implementing an alternative payment system that circumvented Apple’s 30% cut on in-app purchases. The removal led to a high-profile legal battle over App Store policies and competition practices.
This time, Epic Games is leveraging changes stemming from legal mandates. Apple is now required to allow developers to include links and buttons that direct users to purchase digital goods outside the App Store without imposing commissions on those transactions. This change, a result of court rulings and regulatory pressure, sets the stage for Fortnite’s potential reinstatement.
Strategic use of Epic Games Sweden developer account
Significantly, Fortnite was submitted by Epic Games in a developer account that is registered under its Swedish subsidiary. The account had initially been established to abide by the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which insists to more open competition across digital marketplaces.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney confirmed that the company had communicated with Apple about its submission strategy. However, he did not clarify whether Apple officially approved the use of the Swedish account for the U.S. App Store submission. In a recent interview, Sweeney stated he would be “very surprised” if Apple blocked the app, citing potential geopolitical and regulatory repercussions.
Apple previously terminated Epic Games’ U.S. developer account following the 2020 dispute. When Epic established a new account in the EU last year, Apple initially shut it down, citing concerns over Epic’s trustworthiness. However, after intervention by EU regulators and a pledge from Epic to comply with marketplace rules, Apple reinstated the account.
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Legal uncertainty and Apple’s response
Even with the Fortnite App Store submission, there remains doubt whether Apple will approve it. The initial court decision in Epic Games v. Apple did not require Apple to restore Fortnite or Epic’s developer account in the United States, upholding Apple’s ability to enforce its platform policies.
Meanwhile, Apple has filed an emergency motion with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to pause the ruling that mandates allowing external payment links. Apple argues that the ruling could significantly disrupt its business model. The company has requested permission to charge fees on purchases made through external links and sought more control over how these links are presented in apps. The court is expected to respond by May 28.
Until the appeals court issues a decision, developers are allowed to include external purchasing options in their apps without paying commissions to Apple. Other major apps such as Spotify, Amazon’s Kindle app, and Patreon have already implemented similar changes.
