Fortnite Goes Dark on iPhones Worldwide as Tensions with Apple Flare Up
Gamers across the globe are waking up to an unexpected disruption—Fortnite has vanished from Apple’s App Store, and fans are not happy.
The hit title, known for its fast-paced action and massive online community, has already been unavailable to U.S. iPhone users. But now, Apple has pulled the plug internationally, making it inaccessible to all iOS users around the world.
Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite, didn’t hold back. Taking to social media, they announced:
“Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission… Sadly, Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it.”
So what happened?
According to Apple, this clash is tied to a recent submission from Epic’s Swedish team. The update included access to the U.S. App Store—something Apple asked to be removed to avoid affecting Fortnite’s availability in other countries.
Epic, however, sees it differently. For them, this is just another roadblock in a long-running fight over how digital platforms operate—and profit.
Behind the Battle
Epic and Apple have been locking horns for years, mostly over the steep fees developers are required to pay when distributing their apps through official stores. Epic has argued these charges—sometimes as high as 30%—put creators at a disadvantage and inflate costs for users.
The tug-of-war reached U.S. courts back in 2021 when Fortnite was first kicked off Apple’s platform. Epic had tried to sidestep Apple’s built-in payment system, triggering a ban that set off a wave of legal battles.
Though a judge later ruled parts of the App Store policy were too restrictive, enforcing that decision has been slow. Just this month, a U.S. judge criticized Apple for dragging its feet on implementing the changes.
Epic didn’t waste time responding. They resubmitted Fortnite for approval, but as of now, it remains in limbo. “Apple has neither accepted nor rejected it,” Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said on X.
Europe Caught in the Crossfire
Across the Atlantic, things aren’t much smoother. Thanks to the EU’s Digital Markets Act—which requires Apple to open up its ecosystem to competition—European users should, in theory, still be able to access Fortnite through Epic’s own store.
But Epic says the game remains unavailable there too.
In recent months, over 500 million players worldwide have logged into Fortnite, making the game a global juggernaut. But for fans, legal drama is becoming just as common as in-game showdowns.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about one game. It’s about who controls the digital world and how creators get paid.
Apple, for its part, is pushing harder into services—from streaming to cloud storage—making platforms like the App Store a major source of revenue. Some estimates say that side of the business now brings in more than a quarter of Apple’s income.
With that kind of money on the line, it’s clear why both sides are digging in their heels.
Still, the fallout is real. Players can’t access their favorite game. Developers are left in limbo. And Apple continues to face scrutiny over how it handles competition.
For now, fans are left waiting—and hoping their next Battle Royale doesn’t have to happen in court.
