Fortnite Makes Epic Comeback to iOS in EU, Targets 100 Million Mobile Installs

Fortnite Returns to iOS in EU After Four-Year Hiatus

Epic Games has announced the return of Fortnite to iOS devices in the European Union, marking the end of a four-year absence from Apple’s platform. The popular battle royale game is now available through a new iPhone version of the Epic Games Store and AltStore PAL, coinciding with the launch of the Epic Games Store for Android users worldwide.

This development follows years of litigation between Epic and Apple, and comes in the wake of the EU’s Digital Markets Act implementation. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney expressed enthusiasm for the EU’s DMA law, which has paved the way for this relaunch.

Users in the EU can now download Fortnite on iOS devices running iOS 17.6 or later, despite Epic’s FAQ initially stating compatibility with iOS 17.4. The launch aligns with Fortnite’s new Marvel-themed season, and Epic anticipates no issues updating the game globally.

In addition to Fortnite, the Epic Games Store on mobile platforms offers titles such as Rocket League Sideswipe and Fall Guys. Epic has also revealed plans to expand its presence on other third-party stores, including Aptoide’s iOS store in the EU and the ONE Store on Android.

However, Epic’s journey back to iOS has not been without challenges. Apple has repeatedly impeded Epic’s iOS store plans, including temporarily revoking and reinstating Epic’s developer account. The tech giant also raised concerns about the Epic Games Store’s interface elements.

Looking ahead, Epic aims to curate a selection of third-party games by December and enable self-publishing on mobile by early 2025. The company plans to bring PC-like features to mobile, including an 88% revenue share for developers and free game offerings. Epic has set an ambitious target of 100 million new mobile installations by year-end.

Despite these goals, Apple’s fee structure poses potential obstacles. Developers using third-party stores must pay Apple a “Core Technology Fee” for installations, which could deter some from adopting alternative platforms. Nevertheless, Epic remains committed to overcoming these barriers, citing the previous success of Fortnite on iOS, which generated over $700 million in two years.

While many third-party developers remain cautious about joining the Epic Games Store on iOS, enthusiasm for the Android version is higher. Epic acknowledges the ongoing challenges for both players and developers but remains dedicated to advocating for a more open app store ecosystem.

As the situation continues to evolve, Epic maintains optimism about future progress, though the timeline for full resolution remains uncertain.