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Fortnite has made a comeback on mobile: After a four-year absence, the highly popular battle royale game was unavailable on both iPhone and Android platforms. Players seeking to enjoy Fortnite typically had to turn to other devices. However, starting today, the game is once again accessible on smartphones and tablets—though only for certain users.
Android users can now enjoy Fortnite without any restrictions. For iOS users, the situation is more nuanced: iPhone and iPad owners in the EU can access the game, but the rest of the global iOS audience remains excluded due to the ongoing Fortnite ban.
Epic Games has launched its own app store
This is due to the fact that Fortnite is not available on the iOS App Store or Google Play Store. Instead, Epic Games, the game's developer, is distributing Fortnite through its newly launched Epic Games Store and the independent iOS app store AltStore PAL. While the Epic Games Store and Fortnite are accessible globally on Android, both Epic's store and AltStore PAL are limited to iOS users in the EU. Apple would prefer to restrict EU users from accessing these stores as well.
This situation stems from the EU's efforts to regulate Apple's restrictive business practices. The European Commission mandated that Apple open certain parts of its ecosystem, such as enabling third-party developers to create independent web browsers and granting access to the iPhone's NFC functionality. Additionally, the ruling compelled Apple to permit developers to establish and manage their own app stores on iOS. Starting with iOS 17.4, stores like AltStore PAL have been authorized to distribute apps to EU users without relying on Apple's App Store. Epic is now leveraging this policy to provide games like Fortnite to European audiences.
Why was there a delay, given that this policy took effect in March? Apple resisted Epic's efforts: The company revoked Epic's developer account in March, alleging that Epic was not acting in good faith. After negotiations, Epic managed to restore its account.
This outcome isn't unexpected, as Apple has long been at odds with Epic (and Google shares similar sentiments). This friction is why Fortnite was removed from their app stores initially. In 2020, both Apple and Google banned Epic from their platforms after the company attempted to bypass in-app purchase regulations. Both platforms require developers to pay a 30% fee on purchases made through their apps. Epic opposed this steep fee and encouraged users to pay directly, circumventing the app stores' rules.
Epic filed a lawsuit against Apple, and lost on nearly all counts except one: The court ruled that Apple cannot prevent developers from informing customers about alternative payment methods. As a result, Apple must now allow developers to promote external payment options. This is a positive development, as the 30% fee often makes in-app purchases more costly compared to purchasing the same content outside the platform.
Regardless, Fortnite (along with other Epic games such as Fall Guys) is now accessible on all Android devices and iPhones in the EU via the Epic Games Store.
Steps to Install Fortnite on Android
Whether you're in the EU or elsewhere, you can now play Fortnite on your Android phone. The process isn't as simple as downloading a standard app, which is why Epic provides a step-by-step guide on how to install both its app store and Fortnite on your Android device:
Visit the Epic Games Store download page and download the store onto your phone.
If a pop-up appears warning about the app's safety, select Download anyway. (Epic assures users this is a standard Android notification and that their app store is secure.)
Once the download is complete, tap Open.
If your phone blocks the installation, tap Settings on the pop-up and enable the option for Allow from this source.
When prompted to install the Epic Games Store, tap Install.
After installation, tap Open.
Attempt to download Fortnite from the store. You may encounter a similar pop-up as in step 4; tap Settings and enable Allow from this source.
Finally, tap Install on the Fortnite pop-up to complete the process.
How to Install Fortnite on iPhone (EU Exclusive)
To access Fortnite on an iPhone, you must reside in the European Union. If you're outside the EU, these steps won't apply. Similar to the Android process, installing Fortnite on an iPhone isn't straightforward, so Epic provides a video guide to assist users:
Visit the Epic Games Store download page and try to download the store onto your iPhone.
Your iPhone will notify you that your settings block installations from the web. Tap OK, then navigate to Settings.
Select Allow Apps From "Epic Games Inc." at the top of the page, then tap Allow on the confirmation pop-up.
Return to Safari, tap Install, and then select Install App Marketplace.
Open the newly installed Epic Games Store, search for Fortnite, and proceed with the installation.
Tap Install App on the pop-up to complete the process.
