Fortnite Unavailable on iOS After Apple Blocks Global App Store Update

Epic Games has announced that Fortnite is currently unavailable on iOS devices worldwide after Apple blocked the game's submission for updates on the US App Store and the Epic Games Store in the European Union. Apple clarified that it did not remove Fortnite from the EU's alternative app marketplaces but requested Epic to resubmit the update without including the US storefront, as Fortnite has been banned from the US App Store since 2020 due to Epic's prior attempt to bypass Apple's payment system. Despite this, Epic tied the EU and US updates together, resulting in Fortnite being offline in Europe as well until Apple unblocks it. This development is the latest episode in the years-long legal battle between Apple and Epic over Apple's control of app distribution and in-app payments, with recent court rulings forcing Apple to allow alternative payment links but maintaining significant commissions. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney criticized Apple's app review process, calling it weaponized, while Apple insists it has not prevented Fortnite's availability in the EU outside the US App Store. For iOS users, Fortnite remains inaccessible through official channels, with cloud gaming services being the only alternative to play the game on these devices.