The current quarrel between Epic and Apple games has reached its last chapter. In 2020, the Epic and Apple games clashed against each other in court when Apple withdrew Fortnite of the App Store. Epic then filed a complaint, which led to the trial. In the end, Apple was no longer authorized to prevent developers from linking integrated payment options, which was the main reason why Apple deleted the game in the first place. In 2021, Apple was ordered to allow iOS developers a link to external payment options, but they also added a commission of 27% of OM purchases made via web links in applications as well as invites to warn users of safety risks for the use of web links. Earlier this month, an American judge ordered Apple to stop forcing the commission and using the prompts. After that, the CEO of Epic, Tim Sweeney, published a statement and expressed his frustration with Apple apparently does not allow Fortnite Back on the App Store a few days after sending the game for submission.
Apple blocked our Fortnite submission so that we cannot release the American App Store or to the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union. Now, unfortunately, Fortnite on iOS will be offline in the world until Apple unlocks it.
– Fortnite (@fortnite) May 16, 2025
Following the decision of the judge earlier this month, Epic declared that he was preparing to bring Fortnite Back to the iOS app Store in May. They introduced a change in its epic reward plan which now gives players 20% in rewards if they do Fortnite, Rocket League Or Fall guys Buy directly via Epic rather than through the payment system for a platform.
“No news from Apple still. They have had it since last Friday,” Sweeney told a follower, expressing his frustration.
Speaking of another follower, Sweeney explained that platform holders should support the release of regular applications and updates in the continuous development of live service games, and that if a company like Apple “obstructed” the process, it hinders the capacity of the game to work.
“Our liberation planning is based on platforms supporting applicants like us who publish applications,” he said. “There is no way that a rapidly evolving multiplatform game as Fortnite can work if platforms use their power or their processes to obstruct.”
