In August 2024, Fortnite Mobile made a surprise return to iOS and Android devices—but only in Europe. After a long legal battle and years of absence, the game was once again downloadable via the App Store and Google Play Store, but only for European players. For fans elsewhere, especially in the US, it was frustratingly out of reach.
Now it’s about to change
Big news. According to multiple reports and an official statement from Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, Fortnite Mobile will be coming to iOS in the US next week.
This comes after a recent US court ruling found Apple in contempt for violating a 2021 injunction. The court determined Apple had unfairly restricted third-party payment systems and external links, violating antitrust rules. Apple has been ordered to comply immediately, and Fortnite is coming back.
Sweeney said Fortnite will be resubmitted to the US App Store “in days,” ending a nearly five-year absence from American iPhones and iPads. This move had been previously hinted at by leaker ShiinaBR, who reported earlier this year that Fortnite’s return to US platforms was imminent, even before any official confirmation.
On May 1, 2025, Sweeney reiterated the company’s stance on social media:
“We will return Fortnite to the US iOS App Store next week.”
Fortnite has been playable on Android via the Epic Games Launcher but was removed from the Google Play Store in 2020. That’s changing too. The game will be coming back to the Google Play Store in the US later this year, so Android users will have a more straightforward way to play.
It’s been a long time. Epic sued Apple in 2020 over in-app purchases. Apple’s 30% cut on microtransactions sparked the lawsuit, which grew into one of the biggest legal battles in gaming.
Initial rulings didn’t go in Epic’s favor, but the tide turned over time. This latest decision is a big win for Fortnite and opens the door not just for their return to the US, but for platform openness across mobile gaming.
The return of Fortnite Mobile to iOS in the US isn’t just a win for casual players—it’s a major shift for the Fortnite esports tournaments ecosystem. Competitive mobile players in North America have been locked out of iOS events for nearly five years, forcing many to switch platforms or drop out of the scene entirely.
Now, with mobile play back on the table, tournament participation is expected to rise across all tiers. This could also impact future FNCS events, community tournaments, and global qualifiers.
And it’s not just about participation. The US has historically produced some of the best Fortnite players—from legends like Bugha to rising stars in the mobile arena. The reintroduction of a major platform like iOS could revive many competitive careers and shift the global rankings once again.
If Apple applies the court-ordered policies globally, Epic will drop all outstanding lawsuits and bring Fortnite back worldwide. So fans in other regions like Asia and Oceania may see Fortnite on iOS soon too.
For now, though, US Fortnite fans—and its esports scene—have something to celebrate. Fortnite Mobile is coming back.
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