Fortnite has returned to Apple’s App Store worldwide, except in Australia, amid expectations that US federal courts will require Apple to disclose its fee structure.
Epic Games stated it relaunched Fortnite after Apple informed the US Supreme Court that “regulators around the world are watching this case to determine what commission rate Apple may charge on covered purchases in huge markets outside the United States.”
Epic stated that once Apple discloses its costs, governments worldwide will not permit what it calls “Apple junk fees” to continue.
The legal dispute between Epic and Apple began in 2020, when Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store for allegedly bypassing platform fees.
Epic noted that Fortnite remains unavailable on iOS in Australia. The company partially won a court case there that found “many of Apple’s developer terms unlawful.”
Epic stated that Fortnite’s return to iOS in Australia is blocked by what it calls an “illegal payment arrangement with Apple.”
The company will delay the game’s return until a court decision is reached, unless Apple agrees to “adopt lawful payment terms” first.
“We will continue to challenge Apple’s anticompetitive App Store practices of banning alternative app stores and competition in payments,” said Epic.
“We’ve seen momentum around the world to address these practices, with regulators passing laws in Japan, the European Union and the United Kingdom – but time and time again Apple has evaded the laws with scare screens, fees and onerous requirements. It’s time for regulators to truly enforce the laws so developers and consumers around the world can benefit from an open and fair mobile app ecosystem.”
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney added: “Fortnite is back on the Apple App Store as we head into the final battle of Epic v Apple in court. For years, Apple has fragmented iOS features and fees by territory, taking regulatory negotiating positions in secret, and intentionally delaying the pursuit of justice.”
“This is a critical moment in the battle against the App Store empire to win freedom for all developers and consumers, and we’ll continue the fight in every jurisdiction worldwide until competition is restored to digital stores and payment markets everywhere.”
The Epic Games Store launched in Japan earlier this month, following the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA) taking effect.
The store became available on iOS for EU users in September 2024 and relaunched in the US after a district court ruled that Apple could not collect fees on app purchases made outside the App Store.
