Fortnite back on mobile phones after Epic Games’ row with Google and Apple
Fortnite is back on mobile phones – although UK iPhone users will have to wait a little longer to play. It’s the latest chapter in a long-running battle between Epic Games and tech giants Apple and Google.
Fortnite is back on mobile phones for the first time in four years, after bitter legal rows got the game taken off both Android and Apple app stores.
Now, developer Epic Games has launched its own app store, making it one of the first third-party stores available on iOS – although UK iPhone users will have to wait until next year to play.
Android users can get flossing straight away, but they’ll need to download the new Epic Games Store, which also contains Fall Guys and Rocket League.
The store’s launch marks the latest chapter in a long-running battle royale between Epic and the tech giants.
Epic claimed, in a number of court cases, that both Google and Apple operated anti-competitively.
Fortnite was taken off both stores in 2020 when Epic stopped paying commission for its downloads.
It lost a court case against Apple where it argued third-party app stores should be allowed on iPhones and other devices.
In March, however, a new EU law came into force which meant that Apple had to allow alternative stores for EU devices.
Epic Games wants to bring the Fortnite app back to UK iPhones in late 2025, according to reports in The Guardian.
Multiple steps, confusing device settings, and scare screens
In a blog post announcing the launch, Epic again criticised Apple and Google over their “anti-competitive” approach to app stores.
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The company also accused them of making it more difficult for users to access alternative app store platforms.
“For now, the process of installing the Epic Games Store on iOS and Android is lengthy due to Apple and Google introducing intentionally poor-quality install experiences laden by multiple steps, confusing device settings, and scare screens,” said Epic Games in the blog post.
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“We are continuing to fight in courts and work with regulators around the globe to eliminate the anti-competitive terms that Apple and Google impose on developers and consumers, so we can build a better store for everyone.”
Google declined to comment on the launch.
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In a statement, Apple said the new EU laws “required us to enable new capabilities for developers in the EU, and we have worked to make them as easy as possible for users while also trying to protect their privacy and security”.
