Why Epic Games Claims Apple Blocked ‘Fortnite’ from the U.S. App Store: What You Need to Know

Epic Games announced that "Fortnite" will no longer be available on Apple devices. Why? Because Apple blocked a recent app update. This situation follows a recent court ruling that limited the fees Apple can charge developers through its app store.

U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers criticized Apple for not following an order she issued in 2021. She found that Apple was engaging in anticompetitive practices. Her ruling stated that Apple cannot collect commissions on purchases made through links in apps directing customers to external websites. This is important for developers like Epic Games, which want to avoid sharing their revenue with Apple when making sales.

Judge Rogers expressed her disappointment with Apple’s actions, stating it was a severe misjudgment on their part. Many developers welcomed her ruling, hoping to save on what they call the "Apple tax" and pass on those savings to their customers.

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, had earlier suggested that "Fortnite" could return to the App Store in the U.S. and beyond, provided Apple embraces a more fair revenue-sharing model. However, the company later announced on social media that Apple had blocked its app submission, meaning "Fortnite" will remain offline until the situation changes.

Apple responded by asking Epic to resubmit the update without the U.S. App Store component. They claimed they didn’t remove any existing versions of "Fortnite" from other distribution platforms.

Industry expert Rob Enderle commented that Apple is primarily focused on maintaining its influence globally. He noted that while they might comply with U.S. regulations, they are reluctant to allow "Fortnite" to benefit outside the U.S., as it could harm their revenue model.

Epic Games originally filed its lawsuit against Apple in 2020, seeking to sell digital items, like skins, directly to users to bypass Apple’s commissions. The court ruled that while Apple does not hold a monopoly in the mobile gaming sector, developers must be allowed to inform users about external purchase options.

However, Apple has been accused of complicating that communication. The judge found that the company used language intended to deter users from clicking on links outside the app. Additionally, Apple would impose a commission for any purchases made within seven days of a user interacting with these external links.

As the dispute continues, Apple has announced plans to appeal the ruling, firmly standing by its business practices. The situation highlights ongoing tensions in the digital marketplace—where developers seek more freedom and control, while tech giants like Apple aim to protect their profits.

For more insights, you can refer to official sources like the Federal Trade Commission’s report on app store practices.

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