Summary
Epic Games announced thatFortnitewill return to the US iOS App Store the week of June 30, 2025, ending a four-year legal standoff with Apple.Fortnite’s impending return to the US iOS App Store restores access for millions of iPhone and iPad players who have been locked out of new content and updates since its removal in 2020 when Epic Games challenged Apple’s App Store rules.
The feud began when Epic Games refused to pay Apple’s 30% commission on in-app purchases, arguing the fee was unfair given thatApple made over $100 million throughFortnite’s in-game transactions. Epic Games sued Apple for monopolistic practices, and a California judge upheld most App Store policies and also ruled that Apple must allow developers to link to external payment methods.
Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, tweeted thatFortnitewill return to the US iOS App Store the week of June 25, 2025. This decision follows Apple’s recent compliance with the court order allowing external payment links, clearing the path for Epic Games' long-awaited comeback on the platform. Sweeney also offered a “peace proposal” to restoreFortniteglobally if Apple adopts the court-approved framework worldwide. Epic Games previously teased thereturn ofFortniteto the iOS App Store, only for technical or legal hurdles to delay the rollout. This announcement appears supported by concrete Apple policy changes and will mark the official return ofFortnitefor US iPad and iPhone users.
Fortnite Is Coming Back to iPads And iPhones in the US
Upon its return, iOS players will be able to discoverFortniteChapter 6 Season 3 and theStar Wars: Galactic Battlecrossover event. The entire season is a collaboration withStar Wars, with themed skins and maps.FortniteChapter 6 Season 3 Battle Passintroduces characters like Poe Dameron, General Grievous, and Emperor Palpatine. It also brings a new map, Galactic Battle, where players will be able to visit iconic places like Resistance Base, Vader Samurai’s Solitude, Outpost Enclave, and First Order Base.
While the Death Star is looming overFortnite’s island ahead of the launch of Chapter 6 Season 3, players can get ready for thisStar Warsinvasion with a dedicated event starting on July 22, 2025.Star Wars: Tales of the Underworldwill start streaming inFortniteahead of its launch on Disney+, with episodes rolling for over a week. Watching the first two episodes ofStar Wars: Tales of the UnderworldinFortniterewards players with the exclusive Asajj Ventress loading screen.
