Epic Games Store, Fortnite Prep for Comeback on iOS in EU

Epic Games Store and Fortnite announced an upcoming comeback on iOS once the Digital Markets Act (DMA) starts in March in the European regions.

Once the DMA is enacted, Apple is obliged to allow iPhone users to download from third-party app stores.

Epic Games Store Tags Fortnite Along DMA Changes

In an X post, Epic shared the exciting news that it will launch its Store and Fortnite back to iOS, all thanks to Europe's DMA. In 2020, Apple kicked out the game from the App Store due to some violations.

According to Apple, Epic bypassed the company's standard 30% fee after developing an in-app payment system. The Fortnite developer sued Apple and just recently wrapped up last week where Epic lost the battle.

There is not much about the announcement for now since there are still a few weeks before the DMA starts but Epic hinted that it will launch "later this year" along with Fortnite. Meanwhile, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney called Apple's rules "hot garbage."

DMA Pushes Apple to Allow Sideloading

On the other side, Apple announced that third-party app stores will be available on iOS for the first time once iOS 17.4 arrives in March. However, the outside marketplace apps will still be reviewed by Apple.

In addition, developers will be offered an option to either remain using Apple's payment services and in-app purchases or develop their third-party system for payments without paying Apple.

"Across every change, Apple is introducing new safeguards that reduce - but don't eliminate - new risks the DMA poses to EU users," the company warned.

Prior to the announcement, a couple of apps have started to announce their in-app changes to iOS users in Europe once the DMA becomes effective in March.