Fortnite returns to iPhones in the US after five-year ban

After a nearly five-year absence, Epic Games‘ wildly popular battle royale game Fortnite is once again available on Apple’s App Store in the United States. The game returned to iOS devices on Tuesday, marking the end of a lengthy legal battle between the two tech giants.Apple removed Fortnite from its platform in 2020 after Epic Games deliberately violated App Store policies by implementing its own payment system to circumvent Apple’s 30% commission fee. The move sparked a high-profile antitrust lawsuit that has reshaped digital marketplace regulations.“We back fam,” declared Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney on social media platform X, celebrating the game’s return to iOS.The game’s return follows an April 30 ruling where a federal judge determined Apple had violated a court order requiring the company to allow greater competition for app downloads and payment options. The judge referred Apple to federal prosecutors for a potential criminal contempt investigation.The iOS version of Fortnite now prominently displays payment options, including a 20% bonus in Epic Rewards when using Epic’s direct payment system rather than Apple’s in-app purchases.Fortnite’s return to iPhones comes shortly after Epic launched a new Star Wars-themed season on May 2. Players can download the game directly from the App Store, with an initial small download followed by a larger 12.95GB update when first launching the application.The game is also available through the Epic Games Store and AltStore in both the United States and European Union.