Fortnite just took a huge step toward finally returning to the App Store—but whether you’ll actually be able to download it anytime soon is still totally up in the air.
Here’s what’s going on.
Fortnite Is Back… Kind of
After nearly five years of being banned from the iPhone, Epic Games just re-submitted Fortnite to the U.S. App Store for review.
And this isn’t just any version of Fortnite. This time, Epic is playing by the new rules—sort of. The update includes Apple’s official in-app purchases, and (here’s the kicker) a direct payment option through Epic’s own checkout system.
Yep, both options are in there. And whether Apple approves this version is now the million-dollar question.
Quick Recap: Why Was Fortnite Removed in the First Place?
If you somehow missed the drama, here’s the short version:
Back in 2020, Epic deliberately broke Apple’s rules by sneaking a direct V-Bucks payment option into Fortnite.
Apple pulled the game from the App Store, kicking off a massive legal battle over App Store policies.
Last week, a federal judge ruled that Apple can’t block developers from linking to outside payment options or charge a 27% fee on purchases made through those links.
So… Epic basically got what it wanted—at least for now.
But Here’s the Catch…
Even though the ruling forces Apple to open up payment options, it doesn’t actually require them to approve Fortnite.
That’s right—Apple still holds the power to say yes or no to Epic’s app update.
And to make things even messier, Apple is already appealing the decision and trying to pause the new rules. A decision on that emergency stay is expected by the end of the month.
If Apple wins that appeal, it could go back to the old rules—including that 27% fee—making all of this feel like a temporary win for Epic.
So, Will Fortnite Actually Come Back?
Honestly? It’s hard to say.
If Apple approves Fortnite, it sets a new precedent where developers can offer payment choices—something Epic has been fighting for since 2020.
If Apple rejects it, Epic ends up looking like the martyr that changed the App Store but can’t even benefit from it.
It’s a PR nightmare waiting to happen either way.
When Could We See Fortnite Back?
Here’s where things get interesting. Apple claims it approves 90% of apps within 24 hours, but weekend submissions often get delayed.
Since Epic submitted Fortnite on Friday, the earliest we might hear something is Monday or Tuesday.
But if there’s still radio silence by midweek, it might be time to start asking questions about whether Fortnite’s return is actually happening—or quietly being stalled.
Final Thoughts
This could go either way, but one thing’s for sure—Fortnite’s comeback is bigger than just one game. This is about the future of the App Store, payment freedom, and who really holds the power when it comes to mobile gaming.
And you better believe we’re watching this one closely.
What do you think?
Should Apple approve Fortnite and let players choose how they pay—or is Epic still pushing the limits a little too hard? Let me know!