Trending Now - Fortnite Makes Global Comeback on App Store, Excluding Australia

WHO:

Eurogamer - Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney stated, "This is a critical moment in the battle against the App Store empire to win freedom for all developers and consumers."

MJ Tsai - Epic Games, Tim Sweeney (Epic Games boss)

Eurogamer - Apple, Epic Games

Techmeme - Epic Games

WHAT:

Eurogamer - Epic Games stated that "Fortnite is back on the Apple App Store as we head into the final battle of Epic v Apple in court."

Eurogamer - Epic Games declared this as "the beginning of the end of the Apple Tax worldwide."

MacRumors - Epic expressed confidence that an upcoming court-ordered transparency process will expose what the company calls Apple's "junk fees."

Eurogamer - Epic Games stated that "Fortnite is back on the Apple App Store as we head into the final battle of Epic v Apple in court."

Eurogamer - Epic Games declared that "we are confident that once Apple is forced to show its costs, governments around the world will not allow Apple junk fees to stand."

Eurogamer - Epic Games mentioned that "Epic can't return under an illegal payment arrangement with Apple, so unless Apple agrees to adopt lawful payment terms in the interim, we must wait for a Court decision."

Eurogamer - Epic Games announced that Fortnite has returned to the App Store globally, excluding Australia.

Eurogamer - Epic Games indicated that it is entering the "final battle" of its legal dispute with Apple.

MJ Tsai - Fortnite has returned to the App Store globally, except in Australia.

Eurogamer - Epic Games declared this as "the beginning of the end of the Apple Tax worldwide."

Techmeme - Epic Games announced Fortnite's return to global App Stores, indicating confidence in a favorable outcome in an ongoing lawsuit.

Eurogamer - Epic Games stated that it is entering the "final battle" of its legal dispute with Apple.

WHERE:

Eurogamer - Epic clarified that it has won a court case against Apple in Australia but cannot return to the App Store there due to ongoing "unlawful" terms enforced by Apple.

MJ Tsai - The App Store globally, excluding Australia.

Eurogamer - Australia, where Epic has won a court case against Apple.

WHEN:

Eurogamer - Epic Games mentioned that Apple has told the Supreme Court that "Regulators around the world are watching this case to determine what commission rate Apple may charge on covered purchases in huge markets outside the United States."

Techmeme - Fortnite relaunched in the US in 2025.

WHY:

MacRumors - Epic stated that the return of Fortnite to the App Store was prompted by Apple's acknowledgment that "regulators around the world are watching this case to determine what commission rate Apple may charge on covered purchases in huge markets outside the United States."

Eurogamer - Epic Games aims to end what it describes as Apple's "unlawful conduct" in Australia.

Eurogamer - Epic Games aims to challenge Apple's fees and practices, stating, "Time and time again Apple has evaded the laws with scare screens, fees and onerous requirements."

MJ Tsai - The decision to return Fortnite to the App Store was prompted by Apple's own statements to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Eurogamer - Epic Games aims to challenge Apple's fees and practices, stating that "it's time for regulators to truly enforce the laws so developers and consumers around the world can benefit from an open and fair mobile app ecosystem."

HOW:

MacRumors - Epic Games plans to continue challenging Apple's anticompetitive App Store practices of banning alternative app stores and competition in payments, pointing to regulatory momentum in Japan, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.

Eurogamer - Epic Games plans to continue challenging Apple's practices in every jurisdiction worldwide until competition is restored in digital stores and payment markets.

Eurogamer - Epic Games added an in-game payment option to Fortnite to circumvent Apple's 30 percent fee, leading to the game's removal from the App Store.

Eurogamer - Epic Games plans to continue challenging Apple's practices in every jurisdiction worldwide until competition is restored in digital stores and payment markets.

(UPDATED May 20, 2026 08:06 UTC)

Epic Games has announced that Fortnite is back on the Apple App Store as they head into the final battle against Apple in court, marking what they call "the beginning of the end of the Apple Tax worldwide." The return of the game comes after Apple recognized that regulators globally are closely watching this case to assess the commission rates it may impose on purchases in major markets outside the U.S. Epic plans to keep challenging Apple's anticompetitive practices, highlighting growing regulatory momentum in Japan, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.

(UPDATED May 19, 2026 23:20 UTC)

Epic Games has announced that "Fortnite is back on the Apple App Store as we head into the final battle of Epic v Apple in court." The company expressed confidence that once Apple reveals its costs, governments worldwide will not tolerate what they call Apple's junk fees. However, Epic emphasized that they cannot return to the App Store under illegal payment terms, and unless Apple agrees to lawful arrangements in the meantime, they will have to wait for a court decision.

(UPDATED May 19, 2026 21:22 UTC)

Epic Games has announced that Fortnite is back on the App Store globally, except for Australia, as the company prepares for what it calls the "final battle" in its legal dispute with Apple. Tim Sweeney, the boss of Epic Games, emphasized that this moment is crucial in the fight against the App Store's dominance, aiming to win freedom for developers and consumers alike. Although Epic has won a court case in Australia, it remains unable to return to the App Store there due to what it describes as "unlawful" terms imposed by Apple, and the company plans to keep challenging Apple's practices worldwide.

(UPDATED May 19, 2026 19:35 UTC)

Epic Games has announced that Fortnite has returned to the App Store globally, with the exception of Australia, marking what they call "the beginning of the end of the Apple Tax worldwide." This decision follows Apple's statements to the U.S. Supreme Court and reflects Epic's confidence in a favorable outcome in their ongoing legal battle with Apple, which they describe as entering the "final battle." Epic Games is committed to challenging Apple's fees and practices in every jurisdiction, emphasizing the need for a fair mobile app ecosystem for developers and consumers alike.