Epic Accuses Apple of Blocking Fortnite Return to US App Store

Epic's prolonged legal battle with Apple regarding Fortnite's future on iOS devices has escalated, with Epic alleging Apple intentionally blocked its Fortnite submission to prevent the game's return to the U.S. App Store.

Earlier this month, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney announced Fortnite would relaunch on U.S. iPhones within days following a major court decision.

On April 30, a California federal court ruled Apple deliberately violated a court order from the Epic v. Apple case that required Apple to allow developers to offer alternative payment options outside its App Store.

In January, reports revealed Sweeney has invested billions confronting Apple and Google over their app store practices. The Epic CEO framed this as a strategic investment in Fortnite's long-term success, emphasizing Epic's financial capacity to sustain legal battles indefinitely.

Sweeney's crusade to restore Fortnite on mobile devices while circumventing platform fees continues. The core issue remains Epic's refusal to pay standard 30% revenue shares, preferring instead to distribute Fortnite through its own Epic Games Store. This contentious stance previously led to Fortnite's iOS removal in 2020.

Despite Sweeney's optimistic tweet about Fortnite's impending iOS return, the game remains unavailable. Epic recently confirmed:

"Apple has rejected our Fortnite submission, blocking its release on both the U.S. App Store and our own EU iOS store. Consequently, Fortnite remains inaccessible globally on iOS until Apple reverses its decision."

This blockade represents significant financial repercussions for Epic, which has forfeited billions since Fortnite's iOS removal five years ago. Sweeney has now publicly appealed to Apple CEO Tim Cook via Twitter:

"Hi Tim. Perhaps you could let our shared customers access Fortnite? Just considering possibilities."

Hi Tim. Perhaps you could let our shared customers access Fortnite? Just considering possibilities.

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) May 15, 2025

Following the April ruling, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers referred Apple to federal prosecutors for violating court orders, stating:

"Apple's persistent anti-competitive behavior won't be tolerated. This injunction isn't negotiable - there are no second chances for willful violations."

The judge specifically cited Apple executive Alex Roman for providing testimony containing "deliberate misrepresentations and falsehoods" regarding Apple's compliance efforts.

Apple maintains:

"We respectfully disagree with the court's decision. While complying with the order, we're pursuing appeals." Recently, Apple petitioned to suspend the Epic ruling's enforcement during appellate proceedings.