Highlights
- Fortnite will make its return to iOS devices, but only in European Union countries. This is thanks to the new Digital Markets Act, allowing EU users to download the game through the upcoming Epic Games Store for iOS.
- The implementation of the Digital Markets Act in March could coincide with Fortnite's Chapter 5 Season 2 update, which might introduce new movement mechanics and a Greek mythology theme.
- Fortnite's absence from the App Store since August 2020 has led to inconveniences for fans, but the news of its potential return has generated excitement among iOS users.
Fortnite will return to iOS devices in 2024, but only in European Union countries. This is thanks to a new EU law known as the Digital Markets Act, which is set to take effect in March. Fortnite's iOS release in the EU could follow shortly after.
In August 2020, Fortnite was removed from Apple's App Store due to a legal dispute over in-app purchases. Since then, Fortnite has remained absent from the App Store and Epic has been unable to update the game for those that still have the app installed. However, there are cloud-gaming workarounds that allow iOS users to stream the current version of Fortnite to their phones. Despite these inconvenient solutions, many fans are understandably eager for Fortnite's potential return to the App Store. It seems that some fans finally got promising news.
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Epic Games posted a Tweet explaining that Fortnite will return to European Union iOS devices later this year thanks to the EU's Digital Markets Act. The DMA, which will be implemented in March, allows EU iOS users to download applications through third-party app stores, introducing a significant change to Apple's previously closed ecosystem. In regard to Fortnite, the new law will allow EU users to download the game through the upcoming Epic Games Store for iOS. Presumably, this will be a fully updated version of Fortnite that receives regular updates like it used to before the two companies butted heads in 2020. Apple has already moved to fight against the DMA, proposing new terms that aim to ensure it will still receive money from non-App Store downloads.
The DMA's implementation in March might come just in time for Fortnite's Chapter 5 Season 2 update, which is expected to launch the same month. According to leaks, the update's theme will be Greek mythology and could include new movement mechanics like rope swinging.
Following the initial lawsuit, Epic was quick to land marketing punches against Apple. It released an Apple-themed skin that appeared to be a bookish, unhappy person wearing drab clothes. Epic also launched an ad making fun of Apple's famous 1984-themed commercial from the 80s, in which it portrayed Apple as the ad's 1984-esque villain.
Epic also had some drama with Google, who in 2018 reportedly offered the Fortnite creator $147 million to bring Fortnite to the Play Store. Epic turned down the offer and chose to release Fortnite on Android devices through its own third-party store, before eventually caving and releasing it on the Play Store as well. However, in 2020, Google followed Apple in removing Fortnite from the Play Store. Fortnite fans on Android could still download the game through Epic's third-party store, unlike iOS fans.
Fortnite
Fortnite is a massively popular game that has several modes, the most famous of which is the online battle royale mode. In this mode, players collect items, build structures, and battle it out to be the ultimate victor.
- Platform(s)
- PC , iOS , Mobile , Xbox One , Android , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Switch
- Released
- July 25, 2017
- Developer(s)
- Epic Games
- Publisher(s)
- Epic Games
- Metascore
- 78
