Why is Fortnite not available on iPhones in the EU and the US

Fortnite remains conspicuously absent from the iPhone in both the United States and the European Union despite major regulatory changes and a long, public legal battle between Epic Games and Apple. So, why can’t you play one of the world’s most popular games on your iPhone today? ## The Short Answer: Apple Is Blocking Epic The simple answer: Apple has blocked Epic Games from distributing Fortnite via both the iOS App Store and Epic's own third-party app marketplace on iOS devices. While this sounds like a repeat of the 2020 saga — when Apple booted Fortnite for implementing its own in-app payment system — there’s more nuance in 2025, especially with recent developments in the EU. ## What Happened in the EU? Thanks to the EU’s **Digital Markets Act (DMA)**, Apple is now legally required to allow third-party app stores on iOS. This gave Epic a clear path to reintroduce Fortnite through the **Epic Games Store** on iPhones in the EU. However, in a surprising move, Apple blocked Epic’s developer account earlier this year, preventing Fortnite’s return through that channel as well. The result: Fortnite is still not playable on iOS in the EU, despite Epic's compliance with the DMA and public regulatory pressure on Apple. ## What’s Going on in the US? In the United States, the situation stems from the same root conflict — but with a slightly different twist. Epic attempted to resubmit Fortnite to the US App Store following a partial legal victory that barred Apple from prohibiting developers from linking to alternative payment options. But Apple reportedly asked Epic to **exclude the US storefront** from its app update, citing concerns about broader compliance and stability. Epic refused, and Fortnite remains unavailable in the US as a result. ## A Legal and PR Standoff This all ties back to the Epic v. Apple lawsuit, which began in 2020 and escalated to the highest courts. While Epic won some ground — specifically, the ability to direct users to external payment systems — Apple retained the right to maintain tight control over App Store access and developer privileges. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has been vocal about the dispute, accusing Apple of **“weaponizing the app review process”** and allowing **knockoff Fortnite clones** on the App Store while blocking the original game. ## What This Means for Players For now, Fortnite fans on iPhones and iPads are stuck in limbo. The game is accessible via **cloud streaming platforms** like Xbox Cloud Gaming or Nvidia GeForce Now, but native iOS support is off the table. Unless Apple reverses course — or further regulatory or legal rulings force its hand — Fortnite’s iOS return remains uncertain in both the US and the EU. Fortnite’s absence on iOS is no longer just about policy violations — it’s a symptom of a broader fight over the future of mobile app distribution, platform control, and fair competition. And with two tech giants locked in a years-long power struggle, iPhone users are caught in the crossfire.