These Countries Will Allow iPhone Users to Access Fortnite Again
For those familiar with Fortnite, the game faced a ban from Apple’s App Store in 2020 due to a payment discrepancy between Epic and Apple. As a result, Epic Games was banned from the popular eSports game on iOS. However, the game is expected to return to iOS, especially for users living in European Union countries.
This development is due to Apple’s compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations required by the European Union. As a result, starting in March this year with iOS 17.4, iPhone users in EU countries will soon have the option of using alternative app stores instead of relying solely on the App Store to download apps and games.
Epic Games has announced that Fortnite is returning to iPhones with an official message on X (formerly Twitter).
“Remember Fortnite on iOS? How about we bring it back?” posted Fortnite handle. It added: “Later this year, Fortnite will return to Europe on iOS via the @EpicGames Store (shout out to the DMA – major new law in the EU making this possible). @Apple, the world is watching.”
In another message, it went on to say: “Stay tuned for more details as we figure out the regulatory timeline. We will continue to argue to the courts and regulators that Apple is breaking the law.”
Fortnite will return to iOS in Europe in 2024, distributed by the upcoming @EpicGames Store for iOS. Stay tuned for details as we figure out the regulatory timeline. We’ll continue to argue to the courts and regulators that Apple is breaking the law. https://t.co/MHh6EGVinC— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) January 25, 2024
Last year, Epic Games won a lawsuit against Google, where Epic had stated that Google maintains an illegal monopoly on its app store. The court found that Google had indeed established a monopoly with its Play Store and Google Play billing service. The jury also found that Google’s anticompetitive monopoly was used to harm Epic. However, Epic lost a similar case against Apple despite several online campaigns, including the popular “Free Fortnite” campaign, to garner more support.
