Fortnite To Be Unbanned For iPhone Users In These Countries: What You Need To Know

For those familiar with Fortnite, the game faced a ban on the Apple App Store in 2020 due to a payment disagreement between Epic and Apple. Consequently, Epic Games was banned from having the popular esports title on iOS. However, the game is expected to make a return to iOS, specifically for users residing in European Union countries.

This development stems from Apple’s adherence to the Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations required by the European Union. As a result, beginning in March of this year with iOS 17.4, iPhone users in EU countries will soon have the option to access alternative app stores, rather than relying solely on the App Store for downloading apps and games.

Epic Games has announced that Fornite is coming back to iPhones through an official post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“Remember Fortnite on iOS? How about we bring that back?” the Fortnite handle posted. It added, “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.”

In another post, it further said, “Stay tuned for details as we figure out the regulatory timeline. We’ll continue to argue to the courts and regulators that Apple is breaking the law.”

Last year, Epic Games won a lawsuit against Google, wherein Epic had stated that Google maintains an illegal monopoly over its app store. The court found that Google had indeed established a monopoly with its Play Store and Google Play Billing Service. The jury also found that Google’s anti competitive monopoly was used to harm Epic. However, Epic lost a similar case against Apple despite a series of online campaigns, including the popular ‘Free Fortnite’ campaign to garner more support.