Epic Games has revealed plans to reintroduce the popular game ‘Fortnite’ to Apple’s iOS platform, exclusively for European Union users. The announcement, made on a social network identified as X (formerly known as Twitter), indicated that the game would be accessible via the Epic Games Store later in the year. This move marks a significant return for the game, which has been unavailable on iOS since 2020.
Background of ‘Fortnite’s’ Removal
The initial removal of ‘Fortnite’ from Apple’s iOS and macOS App Stores occurred due to Epic Games’ deliberate infraction of the platform’s rules. Epic integrated unauthorized payment methods within the iOS version of ‘Fortnite’, bypassing Apple’s prescribed transaction system, which led to the game’s expulsion.
‘Fortnite’ and the App Store: An Ongoing Standoff
Despite not being reinstated on the App Store, Apple’s revised regulations that permit alternative storefronts on iOS devices enable Epic Games to distribute ‘Fortnite’ through its own marketplace. This development allows the company to offer ‘Fortnite’ for download to iOS users after an absence spanning more than three years.
The prospect of ‘Fortnite’ reappearing in the App Store remains uncertain. Apple communicated to Epic Games in September 2021 that it would not consider hosting the game until all legal appeals were resolved, a process that could extend up to five years.
