Epic Games Store debuts on iPhone, bringing Fortnite back to iOS
Epic Games Store debuts on iPhone, bringing Fortnite back to iOS
Epic Games has announced that its alternate App Store is now available in European Union, bringing Fortnite back to iOS.
Here’s what happened: Epic Games, the developer and publisher of the popular game Fortnite, has officially launched its alternative App Store for iOS, the Epic Games Store. Currently, the store offers three games available for download—Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe, and the new Fall Guys. However, the store and the games are only available in the European Union.
Epic Games is collaborating with developers on its platform to bring their games into the Epic iOS storefront. However, don’t expect a rapid influx of games anytime soon, as it may be cost-prohibitive for most developers due to Apple’s “Core Technology Fee”—a fee that charges developers $0.50 per app install on alternative app stores after the first million installs. While Epic can absorb the fee, that may not be the case for many other game developers.
The road leading to the launch of the Epic Game Store on iOS was paved with legal battles, public disputes between Apple and Epic, the passage of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by the EU Commission, as well as subsequent enforcement actions under DMA.
In fact, the DMA is the only reason Epic is able to launch an alternative App Store and bring Fortnite back to iOS after the game was removed from the Apple App Store for attempting to bypass Apple’s 30% fee on in-app purchases by using its own payment system. The game was also removed from Google’s Play Store for the same reason.
“The tide is turning and the mobile ecosystem is finally opening up to competition. We are grateful to the European Commission for making it possible to launch the Epic Games Store and offer our games to iOS users in the European Union. Now European iOS users and all Android users can access our store and games, as they've always been able to do on open platforms like PC and Mac. The fight is far from over, but this is tangible progress for developers and consumers who can begin to benefit from competition and choice,” Tim Sweeney, CEO and Founder, Epic Games.
Alternative App Stores may become available in the United States if the Department of Justice wins it’s antitrust case against Apple—specifically, if the presiding judge rules that Apple’s stance against allowing 3rd party stores is a mechanism that is used to maintain a monopoly. Another pathway is Congress passing laws similar to the DMA.
How do I install Fortnite on iOS?
Epic Games has created a short video which guides EU iPhone users on how to install the Epic Games Store to your iPhone, and therefore Fortnite.
Written step-by-step instructions are available below the video.
Written Instructions
Note: These instructions were pulled directly from Epic’s Fortnite website
On your iPhone, you’ll find Fortnite on the Epic Games Store marketplace, not the App Store. You must meet these requirements to install the Epic Games Store on your iPhone:
You must pass Apple’s region check for European Union customers. (This is a check from Apple to verify you live where you live.)
Your device must be on iOS 17.6 or higher.
You must be using the Safari browser.
On your iPhone, download the Epic Games Store using the big blue “Get it on iPhone” button on fortnite.com/download!
If you meet all the requirements, press “Continue”!
You’ll see a pop-up saying your device isn’t set up to allow marketplaces by “Epic Games.” What to do? Don’t close your browser — simply head over to Settings and do the following:
Near the top of the Settings, tap the banner that says “Allow Marketplace From Epic Games.”
Choose “Allow.”
Re-open the browser and return to the window you were on. Press “Install," then on the next screen, tap “Install App Marketplace.” Tap “Continue” on the confirmation pop-up.
Now that you have the Epic Games Store on your device, select the Fortnite app and tap “Install.”
Lastly, play Fortnite for free and have fun!