Fortnite is once again unavailable on iPhones and iPads, following a new rejection from Apple that has prevented its return to iOS platforms worldwide—including in the European Union, where it had recently been accessible through third-party storefronts.
Epic Games confirmed that Apple blocked its most recent attempt to bring Fortnite back to the iOS App Store, and the decision appears to have also impacted the game’s availability through alternative marketplaces such as the Epic Games Store and AltStore PAL in the EU. As a result, Fortnite is currently offline on iOS devices across all regions.
“Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission,” Epic stated on its official Fortnite X account. “Now, sadly, Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it.”
The move underscores the ongoing tension between Epic and Apple that stems from a 2020 conflict over in-app payments. That dispute led to the termination of Epic’s U.S. developer account, which still hasn’t been reinstated. Although recent court rulings have required Apple to allow developers to link to external payment systems, Epic was forced to use its EU developer credentials to reapply for App Store access in the U.S.
Earlier this week, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney revealed that the company had withdrawn a previous submission of Fortnite and filed a new version containing an update slated to go live across platforms. He emphasized the importance of a synchronized rollout, citing it as a reason for the resubmission. However, the game remains blocked, and Sweeney has since voiced frustration on social media, accusing Apple of inconsistent enforcement. He highlighted the approval of unofficial Fortnite clones on the App Store, claiming the review process has been “weaponized by senior management.”
Fortnite’s brief reappearance on iOS in the EU was made possible by the Digital Markets Act, which forces Apple to allow third-party app stores on iPhones and iPads in Europe. This regulatory shift allowed Epic to offer Fortnite without going through the traditional App Store—though only within the EU.
Now, even that route appears closed. Whether Apple explicitly barred Fortnite from these alternative stores or whether Epic pulled it in response to broader platform policies remains unclear. Both companies have yet to issue detailed public comments on the technical cause of the removal.
This latest setback for Epic signals how difficult it remains for developers—even those behind globally popular titles—to re-establish a foothold on Apple’s tightly controlled ecosystem. Despite regulatory pressure and evolving legal outcomes, the underlying tensions between Epic and Apple continue to leave users caught in the middle.
