Fortnite’s reappearance on iPhones indicates a move from the gaming giant towards a metaverse. | Credit: picture alliance / Getty Images.
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Key Takeaways
Fortnite is returning to iPhones due to a recent U.S. court ruling that found Apple violating a previous order.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney offered to end all litigation if Apple adopts the court-mandated changes globally.
Epic’s decision to bring Fortnite back to iOS is a significant move, supporting its long-term goal of making the game a leading metaverse platform.
Fortnite is still officially returning to the U.S. iOS App Store this week, according to a renewed update from Epic Games, following pressure from Apple to appeal a recent court ruling.
The announcement follows a previous statement from Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney.
Nearly five years after its removal, Fortnite’s return is a significant milestone for one of the world’s most popular titles and could significantly contribute to Epic’s broader metaverse ambitions.
Apple’s Attempted Appeal
On Wednesday, May 7, Apple requested that an appeals court take action against a ban that blocks it from charging developer fees on purchases made outside of its App Store.
The iPhone-maker said the court ruling would “cost Apple substantial sums annually” and is based on moves that have not been found unlawful.
“Rather, they were imposed to punish Apple for purported non-compliance with an earlier state-law Injunction that is itself invalid,” Apple wrote.
On Thursday, May 8, Epic Games responded to the appeal on X, claiming the ruling had already helped customers and developers.
Apple’s Motion to Stay is a last ditch effort to block competition and extract massive junk fees at the expense of consumers and developers.
Since the contempt of court decision was issued by the District Court, Apple has faced a surge of genuine competition as developers have…
“Apple’s Motion to Stay is a last ditch effort to block competition and extract massive junk fees at the expense of consumers and developers,” Epic wrote.
The company added that it was “full speed ahead to bring Fortnite to iPhones and iPads in the U.S. this week.”
Epic vs. Apple: A Brief Recap
The legal conflict between Epic Games and Apple began in 2020 when Epic introduced a direct payment system in Fortnite, bypassing the App Store’s fees.
Apple responded by removing Fortnite from its platform, prompting Epic to file a lawsuit accusing Apple and, later, Google of engaging in anti-competitive practices.
Although Apple prevailed on most counts in the initial legal battle, it was ultimately ordered to allow developers to inform users about alternative purchasing methods outside the App Store.
However, on April 30, a U.S. court found Apple in violation of that court order.
The judge accused Apple of creating a workaround that effectively nullified the injunction’s intended impact by blocking any practical alternative to its payment system.
Sweeney celebrated the ruling by declaring that Apple’s 15-30% fees are “now just as dead here in the United States of America as they are in Europe under the Digital Markets Act.”
This ruling has opened the door for Fortnite’s return to iPhones.
When Is Fortnite Launching on iPhone?
Following the decision, Sweeney confirmed that Fortnite would return to the U.S. iOS App Store this week.
“Epic puts forth a peace proposal: If Apple extends the court’s friction-free, Apple-tax-free framework worldwide, we’ll return Fortnite to the App Store globally and drop current and future litigation on the topic,” Sweeney said.
Although there is no exact release date for when it will be available to download, judges have urged Apple to be prompt.
“Time is of the essence,” the judge wrote. “The Court will not tolerate further delays. As previously ordered, Apple will not impede competition.”
The Future of Fortnite
Fortnite’s reappearance on iPhones may suggest a move from the gaming giant towards a metaverse integration.
In a recent interview, Sweeney said games like Fortnite and Roblox are already shaping what the metaverse looks like today.
“Ultimately, this is about multiplayer social gaming experiences,” he explained. “You and your friends getting together in a 3D world and having fun together in any way you want.”
He cited Fortnite’s partnership with Sony, enabling cross-platform play, as one of the early indicators of its evolution into a true metaverse.
Reintroducing Fortnite to iPhones adds a vital layer of accessibility that supports these ambitions.
In 2024, Epic Games announced a multi-billion-dollar partnership with Disney to create new immersive experiences within Fortnite.
This collaboration aims to build “an all-new games and entertainment universe that will further expand the reach of beloved Disney stories and experiences.”
Kurt Robson is a London-based reporter at CCN, specialising in the fast-moving worlds of crypto and emerging technology. He began his career covering local news in Cornwall after graduating from Falmouth University with First Class Honours in Journalism. There, he cut his teeth on everything from council meetings to missing swans.
He quickly rose through the ranks to become a frontline journalist at several of the UK’s leading national newspapers. Over the years, he has interviewed musicians and celebrities, reported from courtrooms and crime scenes, and secured multiple front-page exclusives.
Following the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurt shifted his focus to technology journalism—just ahead of the AI boom. With a natural curiosity and a trained eye for emerging trends, he has found a new rhythm in reporting on innovation.
At CCN, Kurt's work focuses on the cutting edge of crypto, blockchain, AI, and the evolving digital world. Drawing on his background in people-first reporting and his deep interest in disruptive tech, Kurt delivers stories that are insightful, entertaining, and human-centric.
