Fortnite Is Finally Back On iOS In The US; Here's How To Download It

Fortnite has returned to iOS after nearly five years away from the platform in the US. A lengthy legal drama between Fortnite developer Epic Games and Apple saw the two sides pitted against each other over Apple's digital storefront business practices. A recent ruling by a judge forced Apple to let Fortnite back on the platform, though soon after, Apple had blocked Epic's app submission on one last technicality that kept the game from reappearing on iOS last week.

But now, it's downloadable. It won't appear in search quite yet, but you can download Fortnite on iOS here.

Epic versus Apple timeline

The Epic versus Apple saga began when Epic tried offering a more direct payment method for players to make in-game purchases, complete with a cheaper price tag attached to them, thereby circumventing Apple's payment system and thus the tech giant's 30% cut of any and all transactions. For this, Apple removed the game from the App Store and the two sides fought it out in court for the next several years. If you're curious, here's the timeline of events:

• August 2020: Epic discounts V-Bucks, offers players a direct purchase point. Apple responds by removing the game from its platform.
• Immediately after, with the clear expectation of exactly that move by Apple, Epic began a PR campaign against the tech company. This was complete with a hashtag, #FreeFortnite, and an in-game skin and trailer that likened Apple to a decades-old 1984-inspired Apple commercial from a time when Apple was positioning itself as the David against the Goliath of Microsoft.
• September 2020: Apple tries to end Epic's developer account, but US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers blocks the attempt, allowing Unreal Engine games on iOS to continue receiving support, though Fortnite remains off of the platform.
• May 2021: The two sides go to court, with Epic arguing Apple is breaking antitrust laws. Find our complete Epic vs. Apple trial timeline here.
• September 2021: Judge Rogers makes a split decision. Epic lost in most areas and was forced to pay Apple millions, amounting to the money it had made by circumventing Apple's payment process originally. However, it secured a victory in one that would prove vital years later: Apple is forced to allow developers to direct users to outside payment options, such as Epic's direct offer of discounted V-Bucks. Other companies, like Microsoft Xbox, would later express similar plans to allow direct purchases on iOS.
• April 2023: After both sides exhaust their appeals, Apple declares a "resounding victory," though the company would arguably eat those words later.
• January 2024: Apple revises its App Store policies to allow app creators to offer external payment and sign-up links. Some--chiefly Epic, of course--complain that Apple's way of controlling what these links look like, complete with warning screens that Epic says are made to scare off users, makes the process unnecessarily cumbersome for consumers to navigate.
• March 2024: Epic motions to hold Apple in contempt of court, arguing the company has not reasonably adhered to Judge Rogers' decision or intent.
• May 2025: Judge Rogers does, in fact, rule in Epic's favor and orders Apple to reinstate Fortnite on iOS platforms, calling the company insubordinate for trying to dodge her ruling.
• Soon after, Epic announces that Apple has yet again blocked the game from returning, this time by rejecting its App Store submission based on what Epic's Tim Sweeney finds to be an unreasonable expectation.
• Earlier today, May 20, Epic asks the court to force Apple to allow Fortnite back on iOS, again arguing that Apple is creating artificial roadblocks to obstruct Epic. Apple files for a stay while Epic argues for enforcement of the injunction. The judge refers the case to a US criminal attorney for possible contempt charges against Epic. With all of its cards seemingly played and criminal charges now threatening to come of it, Apple appears to throw in the towel. After 1,740 days, Fortnite returns to iOS in the United States.

The five-year drama will have ripple effects for years to come for Epic, Apple, and other developers in the iOS ecosystem. For now, however, it seems this chapter is finally closed.