Fortnite is back on mobile in Europe after developer Epic Games confirmed the launch of its own app store for Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android, but UK iPhone users will have to wait until next year for the launch.
With its launch, the Epic Games Store will be one of the first third-party app stores accessible on the iPhone. The store will also include other popular games such as Rocket League Sideswipe and Fall Guys.
The release marks the latest chapter in a long-running battle between Epic and the tech giants over control of their app stores and developer commission fees. As a result of that conflict, Fortnite was removed from both Apple and Google’s app stores in 2020, and it has been the subject of numerous legal battles and regulatory proceedings since then.
Now the EU’s new competition law – the Digital Markets Act (DMA) – has changed the landscape. It has introduced sweeping new rules designed to prevent the biggest tech companies from monopolizing digital markets. As a result, Apple is now forced to allow people in Europe to download iPhone apps from stores not operated by the US tech giant – a move that had long been resisted.
Epic said that thanks to the DMA, it can now open its store and bring Fortnite back to Apple devices in the EU and launch it globally on Android – including the UK. However, UK iPhone users will have to wait until sometime in 2025 for the release to reach them.
In a blog post announcing the launch, Epic again criticized Apple and Google for their “anti-competitive” approach to app stores, accusing the companies of making it harder for users to access alternative app store platforms.
“Thanks to the Digital Markets Act, we are launching on iOS devices in the European Union, but Apple continues to block all other iOS users outside Europe from accessing Fortnite and the Epic Games Store for iOS,” the company said.
“Currently, the Epic Games Store takes a long time to install on iOS and Android because Apple and Google deliberately introduce inferior installation experiences with multiple steps, confusing device settings, and scare screens.
“We continue to fight in court and work with regulators around the world to remove the anti-competitive conditions that Apple and Google impose on developers and consumers so we can build a better store for everyone.”
Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, said: “The tide is turning and the mobile ecosystem is finally opening up to competition.
“We are grateful to the European Commission for enabling the launch of the Epic Games Store and allowing us to offer our games to iOS users in the European Union.
“Now European iOS users and all Android users can access our store and games as they have always been able to on open platforms like PC and Mac.
“The battle is far from over, but this is tangible progress for developers and consumers who can begin to benefit from competition and choice.”
As part of the product launch, Epic also confirmed that its games will be brought to several other third-party app stores accessible through iOS in the EU, including AltStore.
Google declined to comment on the launch.
In a statement, Apple said: “The DMA required us to enable new features for developers in the EU, and we have worked to make these as easy as possible for users while trying to protect their privacy and security.”
