Fortnite Removed from iOS After Apple Blocks Update

Epic Games announced on Friday that its popular game, Fortnite, has been removed from the global iOS system. This move comes after Apple blocked Epic Games' attempt to relist the game on the U.S. App Store. The official Fortnite account on the social media platform X stated, "Apple has rejected our Fortnite update submission, preventing us from releasing the game on the U.S. App Store or the Epic Games Store on EU iOS systems. Unfortunately, Fortnite will be unavailable on all iOS devices until Apple lifts the restriction."

Last week, Epic Games submitted an update for Fortnite to the U.S. App Store. A month prior, a judge ruled that Apple could not collect a commission on purchases made outside of iOS applications. In 2020, Epic Games attempted to bypass Apple's commission by updating the software to direct users to its own website for payments, resulting in Fortnite being removed from the App Store. Apple charges a 30% commission on in-app purchases.

According to the EU's Digital Markets Act, third-party app stores are permitted within the EU. Consequently, Fortnite has been available for download on European iPhones through Epic Games' own digital store since last year. However, on Friday, Epic Games stated that its Epic Games Store on EU iOS systems is also prohibited from distributing Fortnite.

Developers have criticized Apple's ecosystem for its "control freak" tendencies. The CEO and co-founder of the payment infrastructure startup Primer, Gabriel Le Roux, highlighted that the core dispute surrounding Apple's App Store rules revolves around the tech giant's control. Le Roux stated, "Developers are restricted within a rigid ecosystem, limiting their revenue models, user interactions, and business expansion." He added, "Especially for gaming companies, the economic pressure is immense. They typically have thin profit margins, high customer acquisition costs, and the need for continuous user engagement. Losing 15%-30% of revenue on each in-app transaction can completely erode profitability."