Apple Blocks Fortnite Submission Request From Epic Games and Continues Long-Running Feud

Apple has blocked the Fortnite submission request, depriving Epic Games of the ability to release the game to the US App Store or to the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union, making Fortnite on iOS go offline worldwide, according to the official statement from Epic Games on Fortnite’s X page.

Fortnite came back on iPhones in the EU in 2024 via the mobile version of the Epic Games Store, but this version, too, has now become unavailable due to Apple’s block on the Fortnite submission request to the US App Store.

On May 15, 2025, Apple forced Epic Games to resubmit its application to have Fortnite returned to the iPhone in the US to ensure it included this week’s update for the game.

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney stated on social media that Apple delayed the approval of Fortnite for several days, even though the submission process is usually quick, and failed to respond to Epic Games’ calls.

“Apple’s App Review team should be free to review all submitted apps promptly and accept or reject according to the plain language of their guidelines. App Review shouldn’t be weaponized by senior management as a tool to delay or obstruct competition, due process, or free speech,” said Sweeney on X.

Epic Games and Apple have been entangled in a prolonged dispute ever since Epic introduced in-game purchase options that bypassed Apple’s standard payment system, a decision that led to Fortnite being removed from both the App Store and the Google Play Store on Android.