Fortnite has triumphantly returned to the U.S. Apple App Store, bringing joy to iPhone and iPad users after a five-year hiatus. Epic Games announced the exciting news on X/Twitter, heralding the comeback of their beloved battle royale game. The Fortnite iOS store page looks just as it did when it was removed in 2020, but now features a fresh message: "Fortnite is back!"
Fortnite is BACK on the App Store in the U.S. on iPhones and iPads... and on the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the E.U! It’ll show up in Search soon!
— Fortnite (@Fortnite) May 20, 2025
Get Fortnite on the App Store in the U.S. ➡️ https://t.co/HQu3pYCXFm pic.twitter.com/w74QPFFkOS
Currently, some U.S. Apple users might find it challenging to locate Fortnite via the App Store search function, though Epic assures that this issue will be resolved "soon." In the meantime, you can access its revived store page directly. For those in the E.U., Fortnite is also available for download through the Epic Games Store and AltStore.
The return of Fortnite to iOS devices marks the end of a tumultuous chapter in the saga between Epic Games and Apple. The conflict began in August 2020 when both Google and Apple removed Fortnite from their digital stores following Epic's update that reduced V-Bucks prices and introduced a direct payment system. Epic cited the "exorbitant" fees charged by Apple and Google as the reason behind their move.
The fallout led to a prolonged legal battle that prevented Fortnite from being available on official storefronts for millions of players. However, in April, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney announced that Fortnite would make its return to the iOS App Store in early May, following a ruling by a U.S. Federal District Court in California. A last-minute delay caused by continued resistance from Apple pushed the release back, but now, after five years, Fortnite is once again accessible on iOS devices.
Players who download Fortnite on their Apple devices can now choose to purchase V-Bucks either through the Epic Games Store or via in-app purchases. For instance, opting for the 2,800 V-Bucks pack at $22.99 allows users to pay Epic directly and receive a 20% rebate ($4.60) to spend on other Epic offerings.
For more on Fortnite, check out Epic's collaboration with Star Wars, which introduced a Darth Vader AI bot. However, this feature has faced criticism as players discovered ways to make it utter profanities. Additionally, the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) filed an unfair labor practice charge against Epic over this issue.
