Fortnite, the blockbuster video game, is once again available for download on Apple’s U.S. App Store after a nearly five-year absence.
The return follows a lengthy legal battle between developer Epic Games and Apple over in-app payment rules.
The game was originally removed in August 2020 when Epic introduced its own payment system to bypass Apple’s 30% commission on in-app purchases. This led to Apple banning the game and sparked a major antitrust lawsuit, with Epic accusing Apple of monopolizing app distribution.
On Wednesday, Epic confirmed via X (formerly Twitter) that Fortnite is now live again on the U.S. App Store. It also remains available through the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the European Union, where recent laws forced Apple to open its ecosystem to third-party app platforms.
“This is a clear win for Epic Games,” said Joost van Dreunen, a games business expert at NYU. “It signals a shift in power, giving developers more leverage against platform holders like Apple.”
Although Apple did not immediately comment, the company has consistently defended its App Store policies as necessary for user security.
Fortnite’s return comes shortly after the game briefly became unavailable due to Apple allegedly blocking an update. The game had already reappeared on EU Apple devices in early 2024, spurred by new competition laws.
Google, which also removed Fortnite in 2020 over similar payment issues, reinstated it on the Play Store last year.
Fortnite boasts a global player base of around 400 million. While it features several game modes, its signature battle royale—where 100 players compete to be the last one standing—remains its most popular.