Fortnite edges closer to U.S. App Store comeback amid legal tensions with Apple

Fortnite’s long-awaited return to the U.S. App Store may be taking shape once again—this time through the courtroom. Epic Games has filed a new legal motion in hopes of compelling Apple to approve the game’s reentry, arguing that the tech giant is unjustly delaying the process despite earlier assurances and a standing court order.

The move comes as Epic attempts to break through what it sees as Apple’s refusal to comply with a previous injunction that prohibits rejecting apps for including alternative payment links. While Apple maintains it’s awaiting a ruling from a higher court before reviewing the Fortnite submission, Epic sees the delay as an obstruction that could stall the game's return for months.

Fortnite has been absent from the U.S. App Store since 2020, when Apple removed the title over policy violations tied to in-app payment systems. Now, Epic claims it’s following Apple’s current developer guidelines, and insists the only thing preventing Fortnite from reappearing is Apple’s reluctance to move forward.

The legal friction is already creating ripple effects beyond the U.S., with Fortnite reportedly being pulled from the EU App Store due to the ongoing dispute. Epic says this wouldn’t have happened if Apple had simply processed the U.S. version as planned.

Whether Fortnite makes its official comeback in the near future depends on whether the court agrees to enforce the original injunction—and whether Apple will finally allow the game to resume distribution in one of its largest markets.