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Epic Games has formally resubmitted Fortnite to Apple’s U.S. App Store for review, marking the first time the battle-royale title could return to iOS since its 2020 removal. The action conforms to a recent federal judgement prohibiting Apple from regulating App Store prices and banning outside payment channels.
Epic will leverage its EU-based developer account to reintroduce the game alongside both Apple’s in-app purchases and its own lower-fee payment system.
Resubmission Under EU Account
Epic Games filed the new Fortnite build through its Sweden-based developer account, originally created for the EU market, to bypass its terminated U.S. account. This approach aligns with CEO Tim Sweeney’s indication that Epic would use any available account to relaunch the game in the U.S.
Apple has reinstated Epic’s EU account to process this submission, reflecting Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers’ injunction barring Apple from penalizing developers that link out to external payment options.
Legal Battles and Appeals
The original uproar began in August 2020 when Epic integrated its own payment system, violating Apple’s App Store rules and prompting immediate removal of Fortnite.
The court declared Apple in contempt in April 2025 for trying to ignore a 2021 injunction, denouncing new App Store fee policies, and compel Apple to let outside payment link-outs.
User Experience and Launch Timeline
The submitted build supports both Apple’s in-app purchases and Epic’s own payment system, offering players a choice at checkout and up to 20% Rewards cashback for using Epic’s option.
While no official relaunch date is set, Sweeney suggested approval “could happen today” once Apple completes its review process.
