After a grueling five-year legal showdown with Apple, Epic Games’ blockbuster title Fortnite has reclaimed its spot on the US App Store, soaring to the top of the games rankings within 24 hours of its relaunch.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney described the victory as “priceless” for developers, signaling a seismic shift in App Store freedoms. The return follows a contentious battle over Apple’s in-app payment policies, which Epic challenged in 2020, costing the company over $1 billion.
This milestone, coupled with ongoing legal skirmishes and global regulatory changes, points to an important day for the gaming industry and app developers worldwide.
A Hard-Fought Return for Fortnite
The saga began in 2020 when Epic deliberately violated Apple’s App Store rules by introducing an alternative payment system in Fortnite, bypassing Apple’s 30% commission on in-app purchases.
Apple swiftly removed the game from iPhones and iPads, prompting Epic to file a lawsuit accusing Apple of monopolistic practices. The legal battle culminated in a 2021 ruling, with key developments in 2025.
US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers recently scheduled a May 27 hearing to address Apple’s alleged noncompliance with a prior anti-steering injunction, which Epic argued delayed Fortnite’s App Store return despite a May 9 submission.
Sweeney, in an email exchange with Business Insider, emphasized the broader implications of the court’s rulings. “These newly recognized freedoms are priceless,” he said, referring to relaxed App Store restrictions that now allow developers to direct users to alternative payment methods.
He urged Apple and Google to extend these freedoms globally, preempting a patchwork of contradictory regulations. Real-time data indicates Fortnite’s return has sparked a surge in downloads, with the game topping App Store charts across multiple regions, including the US and Canada, as of May 22, 2025.
Did You Know?
Fortnite generates over $1 billion annually in revenue, making it one of the most lucrative games in history, despite its five-year absence from the US App Store.
Ongoing Legal Battles and Industry Support
The fight is far from over. Apple is appealing the 2025 anti-steering injunction enforcement ruling, with briefings scheduled through August 18. Despite this, the court’s ruling remains in effect, bolstered by amicus briefs from industry giants like Spotify and Microsoft.
These companies argue that Apple’s compliance benefits both developers and consumers by fostering competition and reducing costs. Epic is also locked in a parallel legal dispute with Google over similar app store policies, reflecting a broader push to challenge tech giants’ control over digital marketplaces.
In the European Union, Fortnite is available not only on the App Store but also through the Epic Games Store and AltStore, following regulatory changes under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
These developments have fueled optimism among developers, with recent industry reports highlighting a 15% increase in alternative app store adoption in Europe since the DMA’s implementation in 2024.
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Sweeney’s Vision for the Future
Sweeney remains steadfast in his mission to reshape the app ecosystem. “The freedoms developers have gained in the United States and Europe on iOS must be brought to the rest of the world,” he told Business Insider.
He expressed hope that Apple and Google would proactively adopt these changes, avoiding further regulatory battles. The Fortnite relaunch has also reignited player enthusiasm, with social media platforms buzzing with excitement over the game’s return.
Posts celebrating Fortnite’s App Store comeback have garnered millions of views, reflecting its enduring cultural impact.
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