Apple has once more shut out Fortnite from its ecosystem, cutting off access to the popular game across both the United States and the European Union.
Epic Games, the studio behind Fortnite, confirmed that Apple is blocking the app from being listed or updated on iPhones, both through the U.S. App Store and its own game store recently launched in the EU.
Just weeks after Epic secured a legal win that prevents Apple from forcing developers to use its in-app payment system, previously subject to a steep 30% commission, Apple is now refusing to approve new versions of Fortnite for iOS devices.
It’s a big counter, considering the regulatory spotlight currently fixed on Big Tech’s gatekeeping.
Epic tried to resubmit Fortnite to the U.S. App Store on May 9, 2025. Apple did nothing for a week. No approval, no rejection, no explanation. For Epic, that’s a problem.
The company runs a weekly update cycle for Fortnite, pushing out fresh content simultaneously across all platforms. A delay on one platform disrupts the whole chain. So, Epic pulled the submission and resubmitted a newer version on May 14.
By Friday morning, Epic had seen enough. “Now, sadly, Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it,” the official Fortnite account posted on X.
Apple’s silence isn’t just a delay, but a blockade. The tech giant has said nothing, and Epic hasn’t offered details about the exact cause either.
The two firms have been having legal issues since 2020, when Epic accused Apple of anti-competitive behaviour. That fight has now spilled across jurisdictions, dragging in U.S. courts and European regulators under the Digital Markets Act.
It’s worth noting that Apple only let Fortnite back into the App Store in 2023, after EU pressure. They also approved Epic’s own app marketplace for iPhones and iPads in the bloc. But goodwill appears to have evaporated.
Epic’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, has long spoken about Apple’s control over iOS. His issue this time centres on the company’s need for timely updates. Without them, Epic says, players are left behind, and the Fortnite experience collapses across platforms.
As of now, users across all regions are cut off. No updates, no new installs, and no timeline for when or if Apple will reverse its decision.
