The wait is finally over for Fortnite fans as the game makes its highly anticipated return to the U.S. Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad users. Epic Games, the developer behind the blockbuster title, announced the comeback with a celebratory post on X/Twitter, marking the end of a five-year hiatus for mobile gamers. The Fortnite iOS store page is now live, mirroring its appearance from the day it was removed in 2020, with a fresh message at the top declaring, “Fortnite is back!”
Fortnite is BACK on the App Store in the U.S. on iPhones and iPads... and on the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the E.U! It’ll show up in Search soon!
Get Fortnite on the App Store in the U.S. ➡️ https://t.co/HQu3pYCXFm pic.twitter.com/w74QPFFkOS
— Fortnite (@Fortnite) May 20, 2025
Although some U.S. Apple users might initially face challenges finding Fortnite via the App Store's search function, Epic assures that this will be resolved “soon.” In the interim, you can access its revived store page directly. Meanwhile, players in the E.U. have the added option to download Fortnite from the Epic Games Store and AltStore.
The return of Fortnite to iOS devices marks the end of a significant chapter in the ongoing saga between Epic and Apple. The conflict began in August 2020 when both Apple and Google removed Fortnite from their digital stores following Epic's update that slashed V-Bucks prices and introduced a direct payment system. Epic's move was a direct challenge to what they described as “exorbitant” store fees imposed by Apple and Google.
This led to a prolonged legal battle that kept Fortnite off official storefronts, depriving millions of players of their favorite game on Apple and Google devices. The tide turned in April when Epic CEO Tim Sweeney announced Fortnite's return to the iOS App Store for early May, following a ruling by a U.S. Federal District Court in California. Despite a brief delay due to continued resistance from Apple, Fortnite is now back on iOS devices after five years.
Players downloading Fortnite on their Apple phones or tablets can now choose to buy V-Bucks either through the Epic Games Store or via in-app purchases. For instance, opting for the 2,800 V-Bucks pack at $22.99 allows users to send the payment directly to Epic, earning a 20% rebate, or $4.60, which can be used on other Epic offerings.
Fortnite V-Bucks purchase options. Image provided by Epic Games.
For more on Fortnite, check out the latest on Epic's Darth Vader AI bot, a collaboration with Star Wars that faced some controversy when players discovered a way to make it say profanity. Additionally, the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) filed an unfair labor practice charge against Epic yesterday.
