Fortnite is again unavailable on iOS after being blocked by Apple

Epic Games announced on social media that Apple has blocked an application to return Fortnite to the App Store in the US, and also to the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union.

As a result of these actions, the company said, Fortnite is no longer available on iOS worldwide, including on alternative app stores in the EU that opened up the game to European users last year. To bring Fortnite back to iOS, Apple must lift the lock.

In early May, reports emerged that Fortnite might return to the US App Store. Epic Games made the announcement after a court ordered Apple to completely lift restrictions on links, text, and alternative payment methods.

At the same time, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney offered the Cupertino company a "peace deal." He said the company was willing to bring back battle royale to all regional versions of Fortnite and stop further lawsuits if Apple would expand the new model without fees and restrictions to the entire world.

Epic Games submitted an application to have Fortnite reinstated on the US App Store on May 9. However, Tim Sweeney reported on his X account on Thursday, May 15, that the company had not received a response. At that time, Apple neither confirmed nor denied the application. Epic has not yet disclosed its next steps.

Since 2020, when Apple and Epic Games have been in court, the latter has already spent over $100 million. Although Epic lost most of the lawsuits, it managed to achieve an important victory - the court ordered Apple to lift the ban on alternative payment methods outside the App Store.

Despite some setbacks, Apple is not one to be easily swayed by forced concessions. Recently, reports emerged that the company has begun warning users not to use apps that accept payments through third-party platforms.