The popular game Fortnite is currently unavailable on the App Store worldwide, as Epic Games accuses Apple of blocking its return to the United States and even removing it from the European Union App Store. Epic Games stated on its website that Fortnite on iOS will be offline globally. The company alleges that Apple is obstructing the submission process for Fortnite, preventing the game's download on the App Store in the U.S., where it was previously unavailable.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney commented on Apple's review process, asserting that Apple should promptly review all submitted apps and accept or reject them based on the language of their guidelines. He also suggested that App Review should not be used as a tool to delay or obstruct competition, due process, or free speech. Apple has not yet provided an immediate response to requests for comment.

The conflict between Epic Games and Apple began in 2020 when Epic Games intentionally violated Apple's App Store rules. Apple then removed Epic Games' game account and initially sought to remove all of the company's App Store accounts. However, Apple was compelled to allow the Unreal Engine account to remain, as its removal would have had detrimental effects on numerous users.

In January 2024, the Supreme Court rejected Apple's appeal in an antitrust case. Additionally, in March 2024, the Justice Department filed another antitrust suit against Apple, accusing the company of stifling competition. Epic Games launched Fortnite in 2017, and the game has since attracted millions of users globally.

In 2024, the EU mandated new App Store rules for Apple, resulting in the return of Epic Games and Fortnite within the European Union. Subsequently, the two companies engaged in a trial, where Apple won the majority of the case, except for a single issue related to anti-competitive practices. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers determined that Apple had not fully complied with the court's requirements and provided explicit instructions for compliance. These instructions require Apple to cease charging certain fees and, most importantly, allow developers to bypass in-app purchase fees by directing users to alternative, third-party payment processes.

Epic Games had presumed that being able to link to its own payments would allow it to return to the U.S. App Store. However, it still stands that Epic Games intentionally violated App Store agreements. It remains unclear why Apple allowed Fortnite back onto the EU store and has now reportedly blocked the app there as well. It's also unclear why Epic isn't publishing the title on Mac, as it does not need Apple's permission to self-publish on that platform.

On May 6, 2025, Epic Games announced that Fortnite would be returning to the US App Store within a week, following Sweeney's claim on May 3 that he had been in negotiations with Apple. On May 9, 2025, Epic Games submitted Fortnite to the App Store. By May 14, Apple had not approved the game, and Epic Games withdrew its submission, claiming to have an update release ready to submit. After that, the games company submitted its newly updated version of Fortnite to the App Store and was then allegedly ignored by Apple. Now, according to Sweeney, the existing app in the EU has been removed.