Fortnite Returns to U.S. Apple App Store

The long-awaited return of Fortnite to the U.S. Apple App Store marks a significant milestone for iPhone and iPad users eager to dive back into the popular battle royale game. Developer Epic Games announced the exciting news via a post on X/Twitter, signaling the end of a five-year hiatus. The revived store page looks just as it did when Fortnite was removed in 2020, now featuring the 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

At the time of this publication, some U.S. Apple users might experience difficulties finding Fortnite through the App Store's search function. However, Epic has assured that this will be resolved "soon." Meanwhile, you can access its revived store page directly. For users in the E.U., Fortnite is also available for download through the Epic Games Store and AltStore.

The return of Fortnite to iOS devices concludes a dramatic chapter 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 lowered the price of V-Bucks and introduced a direct payment system. Epic justified this move as a stand against what it described as "exorbitant" store fees charged by Apple and Google.

The ensuing legal battle lasted years and kept Fortnite off official storefronts, depriving millions of players of their favorite game on Apple and Google Play platforms. The tide turned in April when Epic CEO Tim Sweeney announced Fortnite's return to the iOS App Store for early May, following a favorable ruling from a U.S. Federal District Court in California. A brief delay due to continued resistance from Apple pushed back the return, but now, after five years, Fortnite is once again available on iOS devices.

Players downloading Fortnite on an Apple phone or tablet 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 and receive $4.60 (or 20%) back to spend on other Epic offerings.

Fortnite V-Bucks purchase options. Image provided by Epic Games.

For more on Fortnite, check out Epic's collaboration with Star Wars featuring a Darth Vader AI bot. Despite its innovative approach, the bot has stirred controversy due to players manipulating it to say inappropriate words. In response, the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) filed an unfair labor practice charge against Epic yesterday.