Fortnite is set to reappear on iPhones in the US, but not through Apple’s standard route-Epic Games will use its European Union account to bring the game back to the App Store, shaking up how developers might challenge Apple’s strict platform rules.
For those unfamiliar, a major clash occurred in 2020 when Epic Games tried to dodge Apple’s 30% App Store fee in Fortnite by adding its own payment system. Apple then removed the popular game, leading to a lengthy legal battle in which Apple mostly succeeded in defending its App Store rules. Apple removed Epic Games’ developer account as well, leaving a lesser chance for Fortnite’s return to the U.S. That begs the question,
How Is Fortnite Coming Back to the U.S. App Store?
Epic Games is restoring Fortnite’s presence on the U.S. App Store through its European Epic Games Store account, made possible by Apple’s compliance with the EU Digital Markets Act. By leveraging this framework, Epic is preparing to operate its own mobile store on iOS in Europe, which will pave the way for Fortnite’s return to Apple’s platform in the United States. This move follows years of legal battles between the two companies and signals a shift in how mobile app distribution might evolve across different regions.
Well, Epic has announced plans to use its EU account, registered in Sweden, to publish Fortnite and possibly its own Epic Games Store on iOS. The twist? It could open the door for U.S. users to access Fortnite through this EU-based route. This isn’t just a technical workaround-it’s a direct response to Apple’s tight grip on the iOS App Store.
Also Read: How Many People Are Playing Fortnite? (Player Count 2025)
Tim Sweeney, Epic Games founder and CEO, replied to a post on X and said, “We have conversed with Apple on the topic”, indicating the recent Apple guideline revisions. The U.S. court ordered Apple to refrain from collecting any form of commission from developers for off-App Store purchases. Sweeney also Twitter on the U.S. iOS App Store over the next week.
We have conversed with Apple on the topic and will use our Epic Games Sweden account to submit Fortnite to the US App Store. We created this account last year to launch Epic Games Store and Fortnite in the European Union, and Apple required an EU-domiciled account.
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) May 3, 2025
Epic Games believes that under the EU’s new Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple’s App Store must allow alternative app marketplaces. By using their EU account, Epic brought Fortnite back to iPhones, first in Europe, and potentially worldwide.
The company also revealed that Fortnite is coming to iOS in Brazil soon. Epic Games’ strategy is risky but calculated. By using an EU account, the company is forcing Apple into a corner, testing how far regional rules can stretch. It also keeps the pressure on Apple in the ongoing fight over app distribution rights.
Fans in the U.S. eager to see Fortnite return to iOS may finally get their wish. Well, it will just not be in the way anyone expected. Whether this move sparks another round of legal pushback or finally brings Fortnite back to iPhones across the globe, one thing is clear: Epic isn’t done fighting.
Will EU developer accounts bypass Apple’s US App Store rules
EU developer accounts cannot fully bypass Apple’s US App Store rules, as Apple’s policies apply based on the user’s location and store region rather than solely the developer’s account origin. Epic Games’ Fortnite case in 2025 demonstrated a limited workaround: by using a Sweden-based EU account, they published to the US iOS App Store after Apple approved the submission, despite prior US account termination.
Regional Enforcement
Apple enforces distinct rules per storefront; EU DMA concessions like sideloading and alternative payments remain confined to EU users and do not extend to US downloads, even from an EU account. Developers must still adhere to US-specific guidelines on commissions, in-app purchases, and reviews when targeting American users.
Practical Limits
While the EU account enabled Epic’s US relaunch, it required Apple’s explicit approval and compliance with global standards, not a blanket bypass-future apps face similar scrutiny, with no guaranteed sidestep of US fees or restrictions. Ongoing EU probes into Apple’s DMA compliance highlight persistent tensions but no spillover to US policy changes.
What are Apple’s notarization requirements for EU web distribution
Apple’s notarization for EU web distribution mandates automated and manual checks on iOS apps to verify safety, security, and compliance before allowing direct downloads from developer websites. This process applies exclusively to eligible EU-based developers under DMA rules and ensures apps are encrypted, signed by Apple, and protected against tampering during installation.
Key Requirements
Notarization evaluates apps across five categories: accuracy (matching descriptions), functionality (no crashes), safety (no harmful actions), security (malware-free), and privacy (data handling compliance). Post-notarization, apps undergo runtime installation checks, with malware detections triggering revocations.
Eligibility Criteria
Developers must be EU-incorporated organizations in good standing for two+ years, with an app exceeding one million first-year EU installs, and commit to user support, legal compliance, and takedown requests. Distribution limits to registered App Store Connect domains, available on iOS 17.5+ for EU users only.
