Fortnite goes offline globally on iOS as Apple blocks game access

On May 16, 2025, Fortnite announced that the game is now unavailable globally on iOS due to Apple blocking a submission that would have reinstated it in the U.S. and European App Stores. Epic Games reported that Apple had denied the submission for Fortnite, which impacted its availability not only in the United States but also within European countries where users previously had access through the Epic Games Store. This situation arises out of a long-running feud between Epic Games and Apple that began in 2020 when Epic sought to bypass Apple's payment system by linking users to its own site for in-game purchases. After a legal battle, a judge ruled that Apple could no longer exclusively control payment methods, allowing developers to advertise other payment options. Despite this ruling, Apple's recent actions suggest ongoing tensions and potential compliance issues from Epic's side. While Apple has claimed they did not remove Fortnite from alternative distribution platforms, it seems Epic's inability to submit a compliant app version affected its global availability. Epic Games suspects that Apple's requirement for a separation of U.S. app submissions may have led to confusion or misinterpretation, resulting in the decision to take Fortnite offline across all regions. The response from Apple indicates that they had anticipated this might impact access in other markets but insisted that it was Epic's choice. The fallout from this ongoing dispute will likely continue to affect Epic's relationship with Apple and their overall access to iOS platforms. As more regulatory pressure mounts on companies like Apple regarding app store practices, these disputes may set precedents that could alter how mobile apps operate and interact within these ecosystems in the future.