Fortnite returns to iOS after Epic Games Store app launches in EU

The highly anticipated battle royale video game Fortnite is returning to iPhone after a four-year hiatus, but this time exclusively for users in the European Union. This revival comes as part of the wider rollout of the Epic Games Store for iPhone, which has officially gone live in the EU.

The impact of the EU Digital Markets Act on the return of Fortnite

The reappearance of Fortnite on iOS is a direct result of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), a new regulation that has required Apple to allow third-party app marketplaces on its platform. Thanks to this legislation, users in the EU can now download the Epic Games Store directly from the Epic website to their iPhones, marking a significant shift in the mobile app ecosystem.

The availability of Fortnite is undoubtedly the most important aspect of the launch of the Epic Games Store. The popular battle royale game was originally removed from the App Store in 2020 due to a high-profile legal dispute between Epic Games and Apple over in-app purchasing systems.

Before its removal, Fortnite had generated over $700 million in revenue on iOS in two years, with Apple taking a significant share of over $100 million through its 30 percent commission on in-app purchases.

Related article: Fortnite x Disney collaboration brings more Marvel content, Star Wars, The Incredibles and MORE

Limited game catalog at launch with plans for expansion

While Fortnite is making the headlines of its launch, the current catalog of games in the iOS version of the Epic Games Store is relatively limited.

Currently, only some of Epic’s own titles are included, according to MacRumors, including Fortnite and Rocket League Sideswipe. However, Epic Games has stated its intention to significantly expand the library over time and is already in talks with outside mobile developers to bring more content to the platform.

Navigating Apple’s new fee structure

As Epic moves forward with the relaunch of Fortnite and its other titles on iOS, it faces the challenge of navigating Apple’s newly introduced fee structure. This includes a “Core Technology Fee” of €0.50 per install per year after the first million installs, which applies to both the Epic Games Store and the individual games within it.

For popular titles like Fortnite, this could effectively double costs, raising questions about the long-term financial impact on developers and the profitability of the store under these conditions.

The European Commission is currently examining whether Apple’s new fee structure is compatible with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act.

Availability and future expansion plans

Currently, the Epic Games Store is only accessible on iPhones running iOS 17.4 or later, but iPad users will have to wait until the release of iPadOS 18 to gain access to the store on their devices.

Epic has ambitious plans to expand the availability of its store to other regions where regulations allow, with Japan slated for launch in 2025. The company is targeting 100 million mobile downloads of its store by the end of the year, driven by combined game installs on iOS and Android platforms.

The return of Fortnite to iPhones in the EU marks an important milestone in the ongoing battle between Epic Games and Apple.

This comeback, made possible by the EU’s Digital Markets Act, not only brings one of the world’s most popular games back to iOS users, but also challenges the status quo of app distribution on Apple devices.

Previously, Apple had twice rejected Epic Games’ request to launch the third-party app store for iOS in Europe. Later, the iPhone maker approved this action.

Also read: Marvel’s Midnight Suns soon available for free on the Epic Games Store: Report

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