Tim Sweeney says the real fight is only getting started.
Epic Games has brought Fortnite back to Apple’s App Store worldwide, marking another major development in the long-running legal battle between Epic and Apple over App Store payment fees and mobile storefront restrictions. The announcement was made on Fortnite's official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday (19 May):
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney also posted on X (formerly Twitter), following Fortnite’s return to iOS, describing the situation as a major turning point in Epic’s legal fight with Apple.
“For years, Apple has fragmented iOS features and fees by territory, taking regulatory negotiating positions in secret, and intentionally delaying the pursuit of justice,” Sweeney said.
“So we see this as the beginning of the end of the Apple Tax worldwide,” he added. Sweeney also described the ongoing court battle as “a critical moment in the battle against the App Store empire to win freedom for all developers and consumers.”
The dispute between Epic and Apple dates back to 2020, when Epic challenged the standard 30% fee charged on purchases made through Apple's mobile storefronts. Epic has continued pushing for alternative payment systems and storefront access through the Epic Games Store, which ended up with Apple kicking Fortnite and Epic Games out of its system for “violating Apple store guidelines by having its own payment system.”
Why has Fortnite returned to the App Store now?
Epic games also released an official statement about the matter on 19 May. Sweeney said Epic believes Apple will soon be required to disclose details surrounding its App Store fee structure. “Apple knows the U.S. federal court will force it to be transparent about how it charges its App Store fees,” Sweeney continued. “Fortnite is returning to the App Store now because we are confident that once Apple is forced to show its costs, governments around the world will not allow Apple junk fees to stand.”
Epic also reiterated its criticism of Apple’s App Store policies, specifically regarding alternative app stores and payment competition. “We will continue to challenge Apple’s anticompetitive App Store practices of banning alternative app stores and competition in payments,” the company said. Epic added that regulators in Japan, the European Union, and the United Kingdom had already passed laws targeting similar practices, but claimed Apple continued to respond with “scare screens, fees and onerous requirements.”
Why is Fortnite still unavailable on the Australian App Store?
Despite Fortnite returning to the App Store in other regions, Epic confirmed the game has not yet returned to the Australian App Store. According to Epic, the company previously won its Australian court case against Apple, with the court finding that many of Apple’s developer terms were unlawful. However, Epic said Apple continues to enforce those terms.
“Epic can't return under an illegal payment arrangement with Apple, so unless Apple agrees to adopt lawful payment terms in the interim, we must wait for a Court decision,” the company stated in their official statement. Fortnite’s return to iOS also comes during a difficult period for the battle royale title, following major layoffs at Epic earlier this year amid a downturn in interest in the game.
