Apple Delays Fortnite’s Return to iPhones Despite Court Ruling in Epic’s Favor

Despite winning a recent court case that allows alternative payment methods, Epic Games has not yet succeeded in bringing Fortnite back to iPhones. The legal conflict began in 2020 when Epic introduced its own payment system within Fortnite, violating Apple’s App Store rules and resulting in the game’s removal. Though a 2021 ruling initially sided with Apple, a new judgment in 2025 favored Epic, stating Apple must allow the game to return. However, Apple has delayed this process without offering a clear explanation. Epic’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, criticized Apple for using its app review process to stall the game’s re-entry, arguing that the delay undermines fair competition. Efforts to relaunch Fortnite on both the U.S. App Store and Epic’s own European app store have been blocked. This situation underscores a deeper struggle over control and power in the mobile ecosystem, beyond just payment systems. iPhone users remain unable to download or play Fortnite, and the delay could persist while Apple appeals the ruling. The standoff represents a broader conflict about how much influence Apple should have over app distribution on its platform.