Fortnite Returns to iOS Exclusively in the EU

After nearly four years of absence from the App Store, Epic Games is making a triumphant return with the iOS version of Fortnite. However, there's a catch – this highly-anticipated comeback is exclusively for European Union (EU) countries.

The official Fortnite X/Twitter account recently dropped the bombshell news, revealing that the beloved free-to-play battle royale is making its way back to iOS through the Epic Games Store. This development is made possible by two key factors: Apple's recent update to its App Store policies, aimed at complying with EU regulators, and the revised EU app store policy that allows iPhone users in the region to download apps from third-party stores.

Apple's concession to the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) is a game-changer, enabling Fortnite's return to iOS. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney expressed his company's plans to launch the Epic Games Store on both Android and iOS, with a bold vision of becoming the "#1 multi-platform software store." Sweeney emphasized the pillars of this vision: payment competition, 0%-12% fees, and exclusive titles like Fortnite.

Fortnite's journey back to iOS was fraught with legal battles. The game was booted from the App Store and Google Play in August 2020 when Epic introduced a direct-pay system into the game, sparking legal confrontations with both Apple and Google. Prior to this return, iOS users eager to play Fortnite on their devices had to resort to streaming the game through platforms like Xbox Cloud Gaming or Nvidia GeForce Now.

While the revival is currently limited to the EU, the tantalizing prospect of a broader return looms on the horizon. Apple's evolving app store policies, which now facilitate game streaming services from giants like Microsoft and Nvidia, may pave the way for a wider release in the near future. Gamers outside the EU will have to hold tight until further updates, but the winds of change might bring Fortnite to their iOS devices sooner than expected.