Ongoing legal proceedings between Apple and Epic. Image source: Epic Games
Epic Games, the developer of “Fortnite,” has alleged that Apple is obstructing the game’s availability in the US App Store and has removed it from stores in the European Union, claims Apple has since refuted.
After what Epic describes as an ignored submission for “Fortnite” to the App Store, the company announced the game’s blockage in the US. Tim Sweeney, Epic’s CEO, asserted that Apple also took steps to remove the game from the European store, despite prior legal obligations to allow it.
Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission, preventing us from releasing it on the US App Store or the Epic Games Store for iOS in the EU. Unfortunately, Fortnite on iOS will remain offline worldwide until Apple lifts this block.
— Fortnite (@Fortnite) May 16, 2025
While Tim Sweeney has not provided further details, Apple’s response to Bloomberg sheds light on the situation.
Apple: We requested that Epic Sweden resubmit the app update without the US storefront to avoid impacting Fortnite’s availability in other regions. We have not taken action to remove the live version of Fortnite from other distribution platforms in the EU. https://t.co/QcZitRbuWZ
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) May 16, 2025
This implies that Apple is not currently looking to reinstate “Fortnite” in the US App Store. Developers are required to specify the regions for their app submissions, of which Epic apparently included the United States.
Apple has not clarified its reasons for potentially denying the app’s acceptance in its US marketplace, nor has Epic commented on the global ban it claims exists for “Fortnite.”
Background
In April 2025, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple had deliberately attempted to circumvent court-imposed conditions. Consequently, she mandated stricter guidelines, including allowing developers to use alternatives to Apple’s in-app payment processing.
Apple is appealing this ruling but must comply in the interim. Epic then indicated that this ruling would enable “Fortnite” to be reintroduced to the App Store.
However, Epic soon raised concerns that Apple had ignored their submission, despite previous communications between the parties.
“We’ve kept Apple informed of our plans through their developer relations team,” Sweeney stated in early May 2025. “I can’t believe Apple would block Fortnite at this stage.”
What’s Next
Epic Games was initially removed from the App Store for deliberately breaching the user agreements in a bid to bypass Apple’s fees, sparking a protracted legal dispute.
It’s unclear why Epic anticipated that Apple’s obligation to allow third-party payment systems would lead to “Fortnite’s” return to the App Store.
Additionally, it’s unknown why Epic has not released a Mac version of the game, given that Apple has no jurisdiction over macOS applications.