Fortnite has officially returned to the U.S. Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad users, marking a significant moment in mobile gaming history. Developer Epic Games shared the exciting news via a post on X/Twitter, celebrating the ability for fans to once again dive into the beloved battle royale experience after a five-year hiatus. The revamped Fortnite iOS store page mirrors its original design from 2020, though its description now boldly declares: “Fortnite is back!”
Fortnite is BACK on the App Store in the U.S. on iPhones and iPads... and on the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the E.U! It’ll show up in Search soon!
Get Fortnite on the App Store in the U.S. ➡️ https://t.co/HQu3pYCXFm pic.twitter.com/w74QPFFkOS
— Fortnite (@Fortnite) May 20, 2025
As of this writing, some U.S. Apple users may encounter difficulties searching for Fortnite directly through the App Store. However, Epic assures that this issue will resolve shortly. In the interim, you can access its refreshed store page here. European users now have the option to download Fortnite via the Epic Games Store and AltStore.
This triumphant return to iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad effectively concludes much of the ongoing tension between Epic and Apple. The saga began in August 2020 when both Google and Apple removed Fortnite from their platforms following an update that reduced V-Buck prices while introducing a direct payment system. Epic cited “exorbitant” store fees imposed by Apple and Google as the impetus for this move.
Following this, a protracted legal battle kept Fortnite absent from official storefronts for millions of players accustomed to accessing it through Apple and Google Play. That changed in April when Epic CEO Tim Sweeney announced Fortnite’s imminent return to the iOS App Store in early May, following a ruling from a U.S. Federal District Court in California. Despite a temporary setback due to continued Apple restrictions, Fortnite is finally back on iOS devices after half a decade.
Players downloading Fortnite on Apple phones or tablets will now have the choice to buy V-Bucks through the Epic Games Store or via in-app purchases. For instance, opting for the 2,800 V-Bucks pack priced at $22.99 allows users to channel funds directly to Epic, earning $4.60 (or 20%) back to spend on additional company offerings.
Fortnite V-Bucks purchase options. Image provided by Epic Games.
For more on Fortnite, explore Epic’s Darth Vader AI bot—a Star Wars-themed collaboration marred by controversy after players discovered ways to make it utter explicit language. In response, the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) filed an unfair labor practice charge against Epic yesterday.
