Fortnite Returns to U.S. Apple App Store

Fortnite enthusiasts in the U.S. can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the popular battle royale game has made its long-awaited return to the Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad users. Epic Games joyfully announced the news on X/Twitter, signaling the end of a five-year hiatus for mobile gamers eager to jump back into the action. The Fortnite iOS store page has returned, looking much the same as it did when it left in 2020, with a fresh message stating, "Fortnite is back!"

Fortnite is BACK on the App Store in the U.S. on iPhones and iPads... and on the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the E.U! It’ll show up in Search soon!

Get Fortnite on the App Store in the U.S. ➡️ https://t.co/HQu3pYCXFm pic.twitter.com/w74QPFFkOS

— Fortnite (@Fortnite) May 20, 2025

At the time of this writing, some U.S. Apple users might encounter difficulties searching for Fortnite within the App Store, but Epic assures that this issue will be resolved "soon." In the meantime, you can directly access its revived store page here. For those in the E.U., Fortnite is also now available for download through the Epic Games Store and AltStore.

The re-emergence of Fortnite on iOS devices marks the conclusion of a significant chapter in the ongoing saga between Epic Games and Apple. The conflict began in August 2020 when both Google and Apple removed Fortnite from their digital marketplaces. This action followed Epic's introduction of an update that reduced the price of V-Bucks and included a direct payment system, which Epic cited as a response to what they considered "exorbitant" store fees from Apple and Google.

The ensuing legal battle lasted for years, keeping Fortnite off official storefronts and away from millions of players who previously enjoyed it on Apple and Google platforms. The tide turned in April when Epic CEO Tim Sweeney announced that Fortnite would return to the iOS App Store in early May, following a favorable ruling from a U.S. Federal District Court in California. Despite a brief delay due to continued resistance from Apple, Fortnite has now triumphantly returned to iOS devices after five long years.

Players who download Fortnite on their Apple devices can now choose between purchasing V-Bucks through the Epic Games Store or via in-app purchases. For instance, opting for the 2,800 V-Bucks pack priced at $22.99 allows users to send the money directly to Epic, earning a 20% rebate ($4.60) to be used on other Epic offerings.

For more on Fortnite, delve into Epic's collaboration with Star Wars featuring a Darth Vader AI bot, which has stirred controversy after players discovered a way to make it say profanity. Additionally, the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has recently filed an unfair labor practice charge against Epic Games.