Fortnite is back on Apple's App Store for iPhone and iPad users across most of the world on May 20, 2026, marking a major turning point in Epic Games' long legal battle with Apple. The only notable exception is Australia, where the game remains unavailable on the App Store due to ongoing disputes over Apple’s payment terms.
A Global Return
Epic Games confirmed that Fortnite is now accessible on the App Store internationally, ending a ban that began in August 2020 after Apple removed the game for bypassing its in-app payment system. The return follows a series of court rulings and regulatory pressure that limited Apple's ability to block apps from linking to external payment options and forced the company to reconsider its commission structure.
In a blog post announcing the comeback, Epic wrote that Fortnite is back because Apple was compelled to inform the U.S. Supreme Court that "regulators around the world are watching this case to determine what commission rate Apple may charge on covered purchases in huge markets outside the United States". Epic expressed confidence that once Apple is required to disclose its costs, governments globally will not allow what it calls"unjust fees" to persist.
Despite the global return, Fortnite is still not available on the Australian App Store. Epic states that Apple continues to enforce developer terms in Australia that a court has already deemed unlawful. According to the company, Fortnite "cannot return under an illegal payment arrangement with Apple," and the game's reintroduction in Australia is pending a further court ruling.
Epic partially won its antitrust case against Apple in Australia last summer. An Australian federal court ruled that Apple (and Google) abused their monopoly power by misusing their market control over app distribution and in-app payments. The court found that Apple's conduct prevented direct downloading, sideloading, and the use of alternative payment methods.
As a result, Fortnite is expected to return to iOS in Australia via the Epic Games Store rather than Apple’s App Store, following the precedent set in the European Union, where Fortnite is already available through a third-party app store compliant with the Digital Markets Act.
The Legal Fight Continues
While Fortnite's return to the App Store is a significant victory for Epic, the broader conflict is not over. The legal battle between Epic Games and Apple continues, particularly around App Store fees, payment rules, and the enforcement of court orders in different jurisdictions.
Fortnite on Epic Store
| Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| Fortnite on App Store | Available globally except Australia |
| U.S. App Store | Fortnite returned in May 2025 after 5 years |
| Australia | Not on App Store; returning via Epic Games Store on iOS |
| EU | Fortnite is available via the Epic Games Store under the Digital Markets Act |
| Core legal issue | Apple’s commission fees and payment restrictions |
Epic's strategy appears to be leveraging court decisions and regulatory pressure worldwide to force Apple to open its ecosystem, with the expectation that transparency around fees will undermine Apple's ability to maintain its current commission model.
Influences on Australian Fans
For most iPhone and iPad users, Fortnite is now just a search away on the App Store again, nearly six years after being removed. Australian players, however, will need to wait for the Epic Games Store to launch on iOS in their region or use alternative methods such as sideloading or cloud gaming in the meantime.
This milestone marks the latest chapter in a dispute that has reshaped how app stores, developers, and regulators think about competition, fees, and consumer choice in the mobile ecosystem. While Fortnite is back on the App Store for most of the world, the final battle between Epic Games and Apple is still being fought in courts around the globe.