Almost four years after being removed from the App Store, Epic Games has announced it is bringing back the iOS version of Fortnite, but this will only be available for countries in the European Union (EU).
Remember Fortnite on iOS?
How bout we bring that back.
Later this year Fortnite will return in Europe on iOS through the @EpicGames Store.
(shoutout DMA – an important new law in the EU making this possible). @Apple, the world is watching. pic.twitter.com/VdHWTe8i1c— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) January 25, 2024
A new post on the official Fortnite X/Twitter account reveals that the popular free-to-play battle royale will be released on iOS via the Epic Games Store. This will be made possible for two reasons: Apple announced today that it has updated its App Store policies to appease EU regulators. Most notably, iPhone users in that region can download apps from third-party app stores under the revised EU app store policy. Apple partly revised these app store policies thanks to the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney previously mentioned in his post today that his company plans to launch the Epic Games Store on Android and iOS with the company’s ultimate goal to become the “#1 multi-platform software store, on the foundation of payment competition, 0%-12% fees, and exclusive games like Fortnite.”
Fortnite was removed from the App Store and Google Play in August 2020 after Apple Epic rolled out a direct-pay system into the game. Epic then pursued legal action against both Apple and Google with varying outcomes. Prior to Fortnite being re-launched on iOS, those who wanted to play it on a smartphone or tablet had to stream the game on either Xbox Cloud Gaming or Nvidia GeForce Now.
Of course, those not in the European Union will still be limited to this until further notice. But with Apple also changing its app store policies to make it easier for game streaming services like Microsoft and Nvidia’s products, perhaps one or both of these companies will soon launch a native iOS app in other countries, similar to what the Google Play Store offers.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
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