Fortnite Returns to Apple App Store in the US After 5-Year Ban

After a nearly five-year ban, Fortnite is officially back on the U.S. App Store for iPhone and iPad, marking a major turning point in the long-standing legal feud between Epic Games and Apple.

The comeback follows a court ruling that requires Apple to allow alternative payment links in iOS apps—a change that Epic seized as an opportunity to bring Fortnite back to iOS gamers in the U.S.

A Legal Battle Comes Full Circle

Apple originally removed Fortnite from the App Store in August 2020 after Epic introduced a direct payment method that bypassed Apple’s in-app purchase system. The move triggered one of the tech industry’s most public and consequential lawsuits.

But now, following a recent court judgment enforcing developer rights to include external payment options, Epic has managed to resubmit Fortnite to the App Store via its Epic Games Sweden subsidiary.

The new listing includes both Apple’s IAP system and Epic’s own Epic Games Store payment option, complying with the court’s new terms.

Apple Initially Resisted the Reinstatement

Despite the ruling, Apple initially resisted Fortnite’s global return.

Earlier this month, Epic accused Apple of blocking Fortnite’s availability even in regions where the court order applied, including the U.S. App Store. Apple responded, stating that Epic’s submitted build was meant for the EU storefront, not the U.S., and that Fortnite’s return would be delayed pending further clarification from the courts.

Apple even sent a letter to Epic, stating that it would pause Fortnite’s reinstatement until a ruling was made on Apple’s motion to delay the court’s injunction.

Epic Fights Back—and the Court Steps In

In retaliation, Epic Games appealed directly to Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, urging the court to compel Apple to accept Fortnite for U.S. distribution under the latest compliance terms.

Judge Rogers responded swiftly. In a written notice, she warned Apple that its compliance officer would be summoned to court on May 27 if Fortnite was not reinstated. The officer would be required to answer detailed questions under oath.

That pressure appears to have worked—Fortnite is once again live on the U.S. App Store, even as Apple remains publicly silent on the matter.

Why This Matters

Fortnite’s return to the App Store is more than just a win for fans—it’s a milestone in the broader battle for App Store fairness and developer rights.

The U.S. court’s ruling to permit alternative payment systems has effectively weakened Apple’s control over in-app purchases and could reshape how apps operate on iOS going forward.

This moment could also set the tone for similar battles brewing in Europe, South Korea, and other markets, where regulators are scrutinizing app store dominance.

Whether you’re a Fortnite player or not, this return could mark a historic shift in Apple’s walled garden approach, potentially benefiting millions of developers and consumers in the long run.

Are you excited about Fortnite’s comeback? Let’s talk in the comments below.