Fortnite returns to iOS in Australia after court rules Apple violated competition law
Fortnite will return to iOS in Australia after a court ruled Apple violated competition law by restricting alternative app stores and payment methods.
A Federal Court of Australia ruling found Apple held substantial market power and restricted competition by limiting third-party app stores and payment options on iOS. Justice Jonathan Beach stated Apple possessed a "substantial degree of power" in both app distribution and in-app payment markets. The 235-page decision concluded these restrictions unfairly limited consumer choice and developer flexibility. Apple has indicated it will seek a stay and appeal the ruling to protect its intellectual property and App Store security model.
Fortnite is set to return to iOS devices in Australia following the court’s decision, though the Epic Games Store will launch at a later date. The game’s availability marks a reversal after Apple removed it in 2020 for allegedly bypassing platform fees. Australia was initially excluded from a global reinstatement earlier this year due to unresolved payment arrangement disputes. Epic Games described Apple’s payment policies as "illegal" in the Australian market context.
Additional changes to Australia’s App Store rules are scheduled to take effect in March 2027, though specifics beyond the court’s findings were not detailed. The ruling does not immediately apply globally, as Apple’s restrictions remain in other regions pending further legal outcomes. The decision follows a broader legal dispute between Epic Games and Apple that began in 2020. Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store after Epic introduced direct payment methods to bypass fees.
The Epic Games Store is expected to launch on iOS in Australia after Fortnite’s return, though no timeline was provided. Australia’s inclusion follows a partial win for Epic in earlier global litigation, which reinstated Fortnite on iOS outside the country. The store became available on iOS in the EU in September 2024 under regulatory changes. A U.S. district court previously ruled Apple could not collect fees on app purchases made outside the App Store.