Fortnite Returns to iOS After Five Year Ban with Strong Mobile Focus

Epic Games’ Fortnite made a dramatic return to the iOS App Store in May 2025 after being absent for nearly five years. The ban originated in 2020 when Epic introduced a direct in-app payment system that violated Apple’s App Store policies, leading Apple to remove Fortnite from its platform. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney initially hoped the removal would last only a few weeks, anticipating a quick legal injunction, but the court proceedings extended the ban much longer than expected.

Since its return, Fortnite has quickly regained traction on iOS, becoming the top free game in the App Store with around 10 million downloads in just a few weeks. This resurgence highlights the game’s strong appeal on mobile devices and Epic’s strategic focus on mobile growth. Currently, less than half of Fortnite’s player base primarily plays on mobile, but Epic expects mobile to drive all future growth.

Epic is committed to improving Fortnite’s mobile experience, acknowledging that the game is not yet fully optimized for touch controls, especially in battle royale mode and creator-made experiences using the Unreal Editor. The removal of the ban has opened new opportunities for Epic to iterate and enhance the game daily, making it more accessible and enjoyable for mobile players.

A significant change accompanying Fortnite’s iOS return is the introduction of a dual payment system. Players can now choose between Apple’s in-app purchase system or Epic’s own payment system, which offers a 20% reward back in Epic Rewards usable across Fortnite and the Epic Games Store. While 60% of players currently use Apple’s system, Epic expects the adoption of its payment option to grow as more players link payment methods to their Epic accounts.

This milestone marks a new chapter for Epic and mobile gaming, demonstrating how legal challenges and platform policies can shape the gaming landscape. Fortnite’s return to iOS not only restores access for millions of players but also signals a shift toward mobile as a primary growth platform for major titles.