Fortnite Returns to iOS in US After Long Wait

Fortnite is back on the iOS App Store, at least in the US, marking what could be the final chapter in a years-long legal battle. This time, there's no ambiguity—Fortnite is officially available without any strings attached, a significant milestone after years of legal back-and-forth between Epic and Apple.

For those who might not be in the loop, Epic Games and Apple, along with Google, have been locked in a contentious legal battle since 2020. The conflict began when Epic introduced external app purchases to Fortnite, bypassing the App Store and Apple's 30% transaction fee. The legal tussle has seen its share of twists and turns, but it's now clear that Apple and Google have emerged as the primary losers, forced to abandon many of their fees on in-app purchases, revise policies on external links, and open the door to third-party storefronts.

What this means for the average player is still up in the air. Developers have increasingly incentivized in-app purchases made outside the app store with various deals, and third-party platforms like the Epic Games Store have sweetened the pot with offerings such as their renowned free game program.

Behind the scenes, the implications are profound. Apple and Google have long dominated the mobile gaming app store landscape, but the Epic vs. Apple legal battle has begun to dismantle their monopoly. The burning question now is whether this development will usher in a new era of app stores or if it will simply lead to business as usual with a few tweaks.

If you're interested in exploring great game releases that aren't found on typical app stores, be sure to check out our feature, "Off the AppStore," to discover some fantastic alternative options.