Apple Blocks Fortnite Return: Epic Games Claims App Store Lockout in US and EU

Epic Games claims that Apple is blocking its Fortnite app from the U.S. and EU App Stores, reigniting the contentious battle between the two tech giants.

Background: The Legal Victory and Resubmission Attempt

After winning a decisive victory for app developers in a legal battle with Apple, forcing the tech giant to allow external payments in its U.S. App Store without charging commission, Epic Games attempted to resubmit Fortnite to the U.S. App Store on May 9, 2025.

Apple's Delay and Epic's Frustration

Apple failed to accept its submission for a week, leading Epic Games to pull its request and try again. According to Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, the update was pulled because Epic Games needs to release a weekly Fortnite update with new content, and all platforms must be updated simultaneously.

The company then submitted a new version to the U.S. App Store for review on Wednesday, May 14, with the updated content.

The Blockade: Fortnite's Accusation

In a Friday morning post on X, Fortnite said that Apple has blocked its latest U.S. submission and has made it so Epic Games can’t release its app to the European Union, either.

“Now, sadly, Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it,” the post from Fortnite reads.

Implications and Future Outlook

This latest development suggests a significant escalation in the conflict between Epic Games and Apple. The implications extend beyond just Fortnite, potentially impacting other app developers seeking to challenge Apple's App Store policies.

TechCrunch reached out to Epic Games and Apple to learn more and will update if further information is provided.