Fortnite Still Blocked on U.S. iPhones as Epic Calls Out Apple

Fortnite fans in the United States are still locked out of playing the popular battle royale on iPhone — and Epic Games is demanding answers. While Apple's App Store in Europe has embraced third-party alternatives, thanks to new EU laws, U.S. users remain in limbo.

❗ Why Fortnite Is Still Banned on iOS in the U.S.

The drama dates back to 2020, when Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store after Epic Games implemented its own in-app payment system — violating Apple’s terms.

Now in 2025, while Fortnite is set to return to iOS in Europe, it remains unavailable in the United States.

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney asked on X:

“Why isn’t Apple letting Fortnite back on iOS in the U.S.? The game is returning to Europe, so what’s the holdup here?”

🧩 U.S. vs. EU: A Legal Divide

Even though Epic won parts of its lawsuit against Apple in the U.S., the current legal framework still gives Apple control over developer access and payment systems.

🌍 Fortnite Returns to iOS in Europe — But Not in the U.S.

In mid-2025, Fortnite will return to iOS in Europe through the Epic Games Store app, bypassing Apple’s payment infrastructure — a direct result of DMA regulations.

Meanwhile, U.S. users remain blocked unless:

• Apple voluntarily reinstates the game

• Or U.S. regulations change

📉 The Impact for U.S. iPhone Players

If you’re in the U.S.:

• ❌ You can’t download or play Fortnite natively on iPhone

• ☁️ Your only option is cloud gaming (e.g. GeForce NOW)

• ✅ Fortnite remains fully accessible on Android, PC, and consoles

This split has led to frustration and confusion among fans.

🔁 Epic’s Bigger Goal: Changing the App Store Ecosystem

Epic’s public challenge to Apple isn’t just about Fortnite. The company aims to:

• 🔓 Break up Apple’s control over app distribution

• 📣 Draw attention to anti-competitive practices

• 🧩 Push for global app store reform that levels the playing field for all developers

“This isn’t just about Fortnite. It’s about fairness in digital storefronts.” – Epic Games

✅ TL;DR – Fortnite iPhone Apple Dispute Recap

• 🛑 Fortnite is still unavailable on U.S. iPhones

• 🌍 Returning in Europe via Epic’s own store (thanks to EU law)

• ⚖️ Apple retains control in the U.S., despite court challenges

• 📵 iPhone users in the U.S. have no native Fortnite access

• 📢 Epic is pressuring regulators and pushing for open platforms