Apple Blocks Fortnite Again, Stalling iOS Return

The long-running feud between Apple and Epic Games has flared up once again, with Fortnite once more caught in the crossfire.

Despite a recent U.S. court ruling that favored Epic, Apple has blocked the latest Fortnite submission, preventing the battle royale from returning to the iOS App Store in the U.S. as well as halting its availability through the Epic Games Store in the European Union.

Epic broke the news via the official Fortnite X (formerly Twitter) account:

“Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission so we cannot release to the US App Store or to the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union. Now, sadly, Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it.”

This marks yet another frustrating setback for the developer, who had hoped to bring Fortnite back to iOS through newly allowed third-party app stores in the EU and a revised App Store process in the U.S.

Apple vs Epic: Still Battling Over Payments

The latest clash stems from Epic’s continued efforts to include its own in-app payment system, the very issue that sparked the initial removal of Fortnite from the App Store back in 2020.

According to The Verge, the EU version of Fortnite — previously accessible through third-party options like the AltStore PAL and Epic Games Store — is now inaccessible as well.

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has been openly frustrated on social media. He revealed that Epic submitted a Fortnite build to Apple’s App Review a week ago but received no feedback. After withdrawing that version, Epic submitted a fresh build — only to be blocked again.

“We need to release a weekly Fortnite update with new content this Friday, and all platforms must update simultaneously,” Sweeney explained. The timing conflict adds urgency, as Fortnite’s cross-platform ecosystem relies on synchronized updates.

Court Ruled in Epic’s Favor — So What Happened?

The move by Apple appears to be in direct contradiction to a recent U.S. court ruling that prohibited the tech giant from stopping developers from linking to external payment methods. This ruling was viewed as a significant win for Epic and a blow to Apple’s tight grip on the iOS ecosystem.

The presiding judge also accused Apple of misleading the court and failing to comply with a 2021 injunction, even suggesting potential legal consequences for an Apple executive who allegedly lied under oath.

Despite the court win, the ongoing standoff continues to take a toll on Epic. Sweeney disclosed that the legal battle has cost the company more than $100 million. Fortnite’s prolonged absence from iOS could represent hundreds of millions in lost revenue, with estimates suggesting the losses may top $1 billion.

Epic had planned to roll out a new “Epic Rewards” program, offering players 20% back on all purchases in Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys — provided they used Epic’s direct payment method. That plan, too, is now stalled.

No Return Date in Sight

For now, Fortnite remains offline on iOS devices worldwide, with no clear timeline for a return. Apple has not issued a public response, and Epic has yet to announce its next move.