Fortnite returns to Apple App Store worldwide except Australia

The popular video game Fortnite has returned to Apple’s App Store worldwide, with the notable exception of Australia, as its developer, Epic Games, expressed confidence in a favorable outcome from its ongoing legal battle with the technology giant. The game’s return, announced on Tuesday, marks a significant development in a years-long dispute over app store fees and control.

Epic Games stated the global return is directly tied to increasing legal and regulatory pressure on Apple. The company cited a recent filing in which Apple informed the U.S. Supreme Court that regulators globally are monitoring the case to determine commission rates. Epic said it believes courts will soon force Apple to disclose its costs, leading governments to reject what Epic calls “junk fees.” The company’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, described the moment as “the beginning of the end of the Apple Tax worldwide” and a critical point in the fight for what he termed an open mobile app ecosystem.

The conflict began in 2020 when Apple removed Fortnite from its store after Epic introduced a direct payment system within the game, bypassing Apple’s commission of up to 30 percent on in-app purchases. Epic subsequently...