Fortnite has officially returned to the iOS App Store. The move follows a court ruling rejection that ends a years-long lockout for most iPhone users.

The legal battle between Epic Games and Apple has been ongoing since 2020, centering around Apple's control over App Store payments and commissions on iOS devices.

The latest development came after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Apple's attempt to temporarily block an earlier court ruling tied to its App Store policies.

Epic Games responded to the latest decision through a blog post, stating, "Apple knows the U.S. federal court will force it to be transparent about how it charges its App Store fees."

Epic Games also added that, "Fortnite is returning to the App Store now because we are confident that once Apple is forced to show its costs, governments around the world will not allow Apple junk fees to stand."

Furthermore, the company argued that Apple has repeatedly evaded the laws with "scare screens, fees and onerous requirements," and that regulators should "truly enforce the laws so developers and consumers around the world can benefit from an open and fair mobile app ecosystem."

Fortnite is yet to return to the Australian App Store, despite Epic winning the court case there as well.

Epic Games VS Apple: War For Transparency in the iOS Ecosystem

According to a report by Reuters, Epic Games first brought litigation against Apple in 2020 to loosen Apple's control over transactions in apps that use Apple's iOS system. Apple already charges developers a 30% commission on purchases made within the App Store.

Apple prevailed on most claims but was required to include links in apps directing users to non-Apple payment methods due to the judge's 2021 injunction.

Although Apple allowed the links, it imposed new restrictions, including a 27% commission on purchases made through external payment systems within seven days of clicking a link, something Epic argued violated the judge's injunction and ultimately led to Apple being found in civil contempt.

The court has now allowed Apple to present new arguments regarding the commission while also upholding the judge's civil contempt decision.

"Regulators around the world are watching this case to determine what commission rate Apple may charge on covered purchases in huge markets outside the United States," Apple told the Supreme Court in a filing.

Epic argued that Apple should comply with the judge's injunction, stating that any delay would "give Apple more time to continue unfairly profiting at the expense of consumers and app developers."

For now, Fortnite has returned to the App Store except in Australia. However, the lawsuit has not been resolved yet.

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Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav