May 22, 2025, 1:13 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Epic Games has won a lengthy legal battle against Apple, allowing “Fortnite” to return to the U.S. App Store. The conflict began in 2020 when Epic bypassed Apple’s in-app purchase system, leading to its removal from the store.
After a long and arduous legal battle, there is finally news for the gaming community: The popular game “Fortnite” is once again available in the American App Store from Apple. The creators of Epic Games have officially announced this on X. This return marks the end of a significant chapter in the years-long conflict between Epic Games and Apple, which has garnered worldwide attention. The decision to bring “Fortnite” back to the Apple platform was made possible by a recent ruling from a U.S. judge, paving the way for alternative payment processing within apps. This ruling could have far-reaching consequences for the entire app industry.
“Fortnite” Dispute Has Been Simmering for a Long Time
The conflict between Epic Games and Apple began in August 2020, when Epic Games attempted to bypass Apple’s existing in-app purchase system. The goal was to avoid the 30 percent commissions that Apple charges for digital sales. Apple responded harshly by removing “Fortnite” from the App Store, leading to a protracted legal battle.
In May 2025, a decisive ruling was finally reached: U.S. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers decided that Apple could no longer charge commissions on app purchases made by customers outside its own system. This allows developers like Epic Games to process payments through external web services without fearing blockades from Apple.
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Impact on the App Industry
The ruling could serve as a precedent for other developers who also wish to bypass Apple’s App Store fee model. Such a shift could significantly impact the App Store’s business model. The company generated revenues of about $1.1 trillion through this channel in 2022.
Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the legal dispute. He publicly thanked supporters of the efforts for more competition in the mobile market. In the European Union, “Fortnite” was able to return to iOS as early as 2024, facilitated by the Digital Markets Act, which allows alternative app stores. However, there was also a setback in May 2025 when Apple temporarily blocked the game.