Epic Games' popular battle royale Fortnite has finally made its way back to iOS devices after a nearly four-year absence, but with a significant catch - it's only available in the European Union.
The game's return comes courtesy of new EU laws allowing third-party app stores on iOS. Epic Games has taken advantage of this regulatory change to relaunch Fortnite through two alternative app stores: the Epic Games Store and AltStore PAL.
Key points about Fortnite's iOS comeback:
- Only available to users in EU countries
- Requires iOS 17.4 or later (Epic's download page suggests 17.6+)
- Accessible through Epic Games Store or AltStore PAL, not Apple's App Store
- Game experience identical regardless of download source
For Android users, the situation is less restrictive. The Epic Games Store has launched globally on Android, allowing Fortnite access worldwide on that platform.
This development marks a significant shift in the mobile gaming landscape, stemming from Epic's long-standing legal battle with Apple over App Store policies. While the game's return is limited geographically, it represents a crack in Apple's traditionally closed ecosystem.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney expressed excitement about the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which facilitated this move. The company is already in talks with third-party mobile developers to expand its app store offerings.
For Fortnite fans outside the EU, the iOS drought continues. However, this European relaunch could potentially pave the way for broader availability in the future, depending on regulatory changes in other regions.
As the mobile gaming world watches this development unfold, it's clear that the battle between app developers and platform holders is far from over. Fortnite's selective return to iOS may be just the beginning of a new chapter in digital distribution and platform access.
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| Experience the excitement of Fortnite's return on iOS in the EU, showcasing the game's diverse characters in action |