Fortnite Blocked on iPhones Amid Ongoing Epic Games and Apple Dispute

Fortnite, the globally popular video game by Epic Games, is currently unavailable on Apple’s iPhone devices across the U.S. and European Union. Epic confirmed that the game cannot be accessed via Apple’s iOS or App Store until Apple removes the block.

Although Epic did not specify the cause, Apple stated that it requested Epic Sweden to resubmit the app update without the U.S. storefront to avoid affecting Fortnite’s availability in other regions. Apple emphasized that it did not take action against the live version of Fortnite on alternative distribution platforms.

Epic Games, the world’s largest video game studio backed by Tencent, gained global fame with Fortnite’s battle royale format after its 2017 launch. Since 2020, Epic has been in a legal fight with Apple, arguing that its 30% commission on in-app purchases violates antitrust laws.

On Friday, Epic filed a motion in a California court asking the judge to hold Apple in contempt, claiming Apple’s actions contradict a prior court order that should have allowed Fortnite's reinstatement. Epic described the block as "blatant retaliation" for challenging Apple’s alleged anticompetitive conduct.

Apple initially removed Fortnite from the App Store in 2020 but allowed its return in 2023 following regulatory pressure from the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Apple had also approved Epic’s marketplace app for iPhones and iPads in Europe earlier this year. Notably, Epic recently secured a legal win against Apple, further intensifying the ongoing feud between the two tech giants.

As of now, Apple has not commented on the latest court filing. The battle underscores broader regulatory scrutiny over Big Tech's control of digital marketplaces and developer access.