Fortnite is poised to make its triumphant return to iPhones and the U.S. iOS App Store following a landmark court decision, according to Epic CEO Tim Sweeney.
On April 30, a U.S. Federal District Court in California ruled that Apple deliberately violated a court mandate from the ongoing Epic Games v. Apple lawsuit, which required the tech giant to allow developers alternative payment options outside its app ecosystem.
Sweeney took to Twitter with what he called a "peace proposal" to end their long-standing legal feud. "Should Apple implement the court's fee-free framework globally, we'll bring Fortnite back to all App Stores and cease all related legal actions," the gaming executive declared.
Earlier this year, IGN revealed how Sweeney has committed billions in his crusade against Apple and Google's app store practices. The executive framed these legal battles as strategic investments in Epic's future, vowing to continue fighting for decades if necessary.
This marks the latest chapter in Sweeney's ongoing crusade to circumvent the platforms' 30% revenue cut. Since introducing direct payments in 2020 led to Fortnite's iOS ban, Epic has been pushing for alternatives like its own mobile storefront. After years of litigation, U.S. players will finally get Fortnite back on iPhones.
Sweeney celebrated the ruling on social media: "NO transaction fees on web purchases. The Apple Tax is finished."
"These predatory 15-30% fees are now as dead in the U.S. as they are in Europe under digital regulations," he continued. "The courts have spoken - these practices are illegal everywhere."
The judge's scathing rebuke referred Apple to federal prosecutors for contempt, stating: "This was a court order, not a negotiation. When a company deliberately flouts judicial authority, there are no second chances."
Court documents revealed particularly harsh criticism of Apple executive Alex Roman, whose testimony about compliance efforts was deemed "filled with deception and outright falsehoods."
Apple remains defiant, stating: "We firmly oppose this decision and will appeal while complying with the order."
This victory represents Epic's first major breakthrough in its home territory after achieving European success through the Digital Markets Act.
The Epic Games Store launched in the EU last August alongside mobile versions of Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe and Fall Guys, though implementation hurdles like warning screens reportedly deter half of potential users.
These legal battles have come at tremendous cost, including a 16% workforce reduction (830 employees) in 2023. Sweeney maintains Epic has since stabilized financially, with both Fortnite and their store platform achieving record engagement.
