Apple again blocks Fortnite on iPhones in US, Europe: 'Now, sadly...'

Apple has once again blocked the popular video game "Fortnite" on its iPhones in the US and through the game maker Epic Games' own store in the European Union, Epic Games said on Friday (May 16). According to Epic Games, access to "Fortnite" via Apple's iOS operating system and its App Store will be unavailable globally until Apple lifts the block."Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission so we cannot release to the US App Store or to the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union. Now, sadly, Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it," Fortnite said in a post on X.As of Friday evening, Apple had not issued a public statement regarding the renewed ban, and Epic Games did not provide a specific reason for the game's removal.The latest blocking of "Fortnite" comes shortly after Epic Games reportedly won a legal case against Apple earlier this month. This development marks another chapter in the ongoing legal dispute between Apple and Epic Games, which began in 2020. Epic Games sued Apple, alleging that its practice of charging up to 30% commission on in-app purchases violated US antitrust regulations.Apple initially removed "Fortnite" from its App Store in 2020 due to Epic Games' attempts to circumvent Apple's payment system. However, Apple reinstated the game in its EU App Store last year, following pressure from European Union (EU) authorities enforcing the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple also approved Epic Games' own games marketplace app for iPhones and iPads in Europe last year.Epic Games, the US-based creator of "Fortnite" and backed by China's Tencent, is one of the world's largest game studios. Since its launch in 2017, "Fortnite's" battle royale format has garnered a massive global player base.