Key Points:
- Fortnite’s Return: Fortnite is returning to iOS via AltStore, not the App Store.
- EU Exclusivity: Only available to EU residents due to regulatory changes.
- Epic’s Strategy: Plans to offer Fortnite on favorable mobile stores and avoid “rent collectors.”
Apple and Epic Games have been at odds for years, primarily due to Epic’s objections to Apple’s App Store fees. This dispute led to Fortnite’s removal from Apple devices, but that is set to change.
Epic Games has announced that Fortnite will be available on iOS devices again, but not through the App Store. Instead, Epic will distribute Fortnite via AltStore, a third-party app marketplace that launched in April.
Why Only in the EU?
For now, Fortnite on AltStore is available only to residents of the European Union (EU). This is because recent EU regulatory pressures have forced Apple to allow sideloading and third-party app stores for European users.
So far, Apple has not permitted these changes in other regions. This new development is an exciting chapter in the ongoing battle between Apple and Epic.
Epic’s Broader Strategy
Epic Games plans to bring Fortnite to other mobile app stores that offer favorable terms to developers.
They aim to avoid “rent collectors,” which means ending partnerships with stores that impose high fees. Consequently, Epic is removing Fortnite from the Samsung Galaxy Store due to Samsung’s policy of blocking side-loading by default.
Additionally, Epic still intends to introduce the Epic Games Store to iOS devices in the EU. The Epic Games Store charges developers 12% for any payments it processes, with 0% charged on third-party payments.
In contrast, Apple’s App Store charges various fees in the EU depending on a developer’s size, the popularity of their apps, and whether their apps are distributed through third-party app stores.
A Legal Rollercoaster
The legal battle between Apple and Epic has seen Apple mostly emerge victorious. However, Epic remains determined to find new ways to get its apps into the hands of iOS users without using Apple’s App Store. The introduction of Fortnite via AltStore may be the breakthrough Epic needs.
What’s Next?
There is no solid launch date for Fortnite on AltStore yet, but it is expected to happen before the end of 2024. This move could set a precedent for other developers seeking to avoid high fees associated with traditional app stores.
