Fortnite Returns to U.S. Apple App Store

The much-anticipated return of Fortnite to the U.S. Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad users has finally arrived. Epic Games celebrated this milestone with a post on X/Twitter, announcing that mobile gaming enthusiasts can once again dive into its widely popular battle royale game after a five-year hiatus. The Fortnite iOS store page looks identical to how it was when it was removed in 2020, but now features a refreshed description starting with "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 article’s publication, some U.S. Apple users might face challenges finding Fortnite through the App Store's search function, though Epic assures that this issue will be resolved "soon." In the interim, you can access its revived store page by clicking here. For users in the E.U., Fortnite is now available for download through the Epic Games Store and AltStore.

Fortnite's return to iOS devices marks the resolution of significant tension between Epic and Apple. The conflict began in August 2020 when both Google and Apple removed Fortnite from their digital stores following Epic's update that reduced V-Bucks prices and introduced a direct payment system. Epic claimed this move was a response to the "exorbitant" fees imposed by Apple and Google.

The subsequent legal battle lasted years, keeping Fortnite off official storefronts and away from millions of players who had previously enjoyed it on Apple and Google devices. The situation changed in April when Epic CEO Tim Sweeney announced Fortnite's return to the iOS App Store for early May, following a decision by a U.S. Federal District Court in California. A last-minute delay due to continued resistance from Apple pushed back the return, but after five years, Fortnite is now accessible again on iOS devices.

Players downloading Fortnite on their Apple phones or tablets can now opt to buy V-Bucks either through the Epic Games Store or via in-app purchases. For instance, those choosing the 2,800 V-Bucks pack for $22.99 can send the payment directly to Epic and receive $4.60 (or 20%) back, which can be used on other Epic offerings.

For more on Fortnite, you can explore Epic's collaboration with Star Wars, which introduced a Darth Vader AI bot. However, this feature faced controversy when players discovered they could make it swear. Additionally, the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) filed an unfair labor practice charge against Epic yesterday.