Epic vs Apple: Fortnite Banned in US App Store

The legal feud between Epic Games and Apple regarding Fortnite's availability on iOS devices has escalated, with Epic alleging Apple is preventing the game's release on the U.S. App Store by blocking its submission.

Earlier this month, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney announced Fortnite would relaunch on iOS in the U.S. within days following a pivotal court decision.

On April 30, a California federal court ruled Apple deliberately violated a court mandate in the Epic v. Apple case, which required the tech giant to allow developers to offer alternative payment options outside their apps.

In January, IGN revealed Sweeney had invested billions in legal battles against Apple and Google's app store practices. At the time, he framed it as a strategic investment in Epic's future, vowing to sustain the fight indefinitely.

Sweeney's persistent campaign to circumvent app store fees while restoring Fortnite to mobile platforms is well known. The core issue: Epic refuses to pay the industry-standard 30% revenue cut, preferring to distribute Fortnite through its own store without Apple or Google's interference. This conflict originally led to Fortnite's iOS removal in 2020.

Despite expectations sparked by Sweeney's tweet, Fortnite hasn't returned to iOS. Epic recently updated IGN with this statement:

"Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission, preventing its release on the U.S. App Store and our EU iOS store. Consequently, Fortnite remains unavailable globally on iOS until Apple reverses its decision."

The situation proves costly for Epic, which has forfeited billions in revenue since Fortnite's iOS ban five years ago. Sweeney recently appealed directly to Apple CEO Tim Cook via tweet.

"Hi Tim. Would you consider allowing our shared customers to play Fortnite? Just a suggestion."

Hi Tim. Would you consider allowing our shared customers to play Fortnite? Just a suggestion.

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) May 15, 2025

Following the court ruling, Apple faced federal prosecution for violating the injunction. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers stated: "Apple's persistent anti-competitive behavior is unacceptable. An injunction isn't negotiable - willful defiance carries consequences."

The judge referred Apple and finance VP Alex Roman for criminal contempt investigation after finding Roman's testimony about compliance efforts "filled with deception and falsehoods."

Apple responded: "We firmly disagree with the ruling but will comply during our appeal." The company recently sought a stay on the Epic Games verdict from the U.S. appeals court.