Fortnite Returns to U.S. Apple App Store

The beloved game Fortnite has triumphantly returned to the U.S. Apple App Store, much to the delight of iPhone and iPad users. Epic Games, the developer behind the hit battle royale, announced the exciting news via a post on X/Twitter. This marks the end of a five-year hiatus, allowing mobile gaming enthusiasts to once again dive into the action-packed world of Fortnite. The iOS store page has been reinstated with the same look it had when it was removed in 2020, now featuring a celebratory 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!

Get Fortnite on the App Store in the U.S. ➡️ https://t.co/HQu3pYCXFm pic.twitter.com/w74QPFFkOS

— Fortnite (@Fortnite) May 20, 2025

While some U.S. Apple users might initially struggle to find Fortnite through the App Store's search function, Epic assures that visibility will improve "soon." In the meantime, you can access its revived store page directly. For players in the E.U., Fortnite is also available for download via the Epic Games Store and AltStore.

The return of Fortnite to iOS devices resolves a significant chapter of contention 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 high fees imposed by Apple and Google as the reason for their move.

This decision sparked a prolonged legal battle that prevented Fortnite from being available on official storefronts, leaving millions of players without access on their Apple and Google devices. The situation shifted in April when Epic CEO Tim Sweeney announced Fortnite's planned return to the iOS App Store in early May, following a ruling by a U.S. Federal District Court in California. Despite a brief delay due to ongoing disputes with Apple, Fortnite has now successfully returned to iOS after five long years.

Players downloading Fortnite on their Apple devices can now choose to buy V-Bucks either through the Epic Games Store or via in-app purchases. For instance, those opting for the 2,800 V-Bucks pack priced at $22.99 can pay Epic directly, receiving a 20% rebate, equivalent to $4.60, to use on other Epic offerings.

Fortnite V-Bucks purchase options. Image provided by Epic Games. For more insights into Fortnite, check out Epic's collaboration with Star Wars, which introduced a Darth Vader AI bot. However, this feature encountered some issues when players discovered ways to make it say inappropriate language. Additionally, the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) filed an unfair labor practice charge against Epic recently.