In a development closely watched by gamers and tech industry observers, Epic Games has resubmitted Fortnite to the U.S. Apple App Store after its initial submission, filed last Friday, went unanswered for more than 120 hours. Despite Apple’s own claims that 90% of App Store submissions are reviewed within 24 hours, the popular battle royale title appears to be in a state of limbo.
The situation adds a new layer of complexity to the already strained relationship between the two companies, stemming from a multi-year legal battle over App Store payment policies and developer rights.
Epic Pulls First Submission, Re-uploads With Weekly Update
According to Fortnite leaker Shiina, who broke the news on social media, Epic Games withdrew its original submission and filed a fresh one containing the latest weekly game update. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney reposted the information, clarifying that the company’s development cycle requires Fortnite to push updates every Friday to maintain parity across all supported platforms.
“We need to update Fortnite simultaneously across all platforms,” Sweeney wrote. “The first request went unreviewed for 120+ hours, so we had to submit a new build.”
This delay is notable given Apple’s usual App Store review timelines and may signal internal deliberations over how to handle Fortnite’s high-profile return attempt.
Legal History Haunts Fortnite’s Comeback
Epic’s attempt to bring Fortnite back to iPhones and iPads isn’t as simple as submitting an app. Apple banned Epic’s developer account in 2020 after Epic implemented direct payment methods in violation of App Store policies. This triggered the infamous Epic Games v. Apple lawsuit, which ended with a mixed ruling in 2021. Though Apple largely won the case, the court mandated that Apple must allow developers to link to external payment options—exactly what Epic had done in the first place.
While Apple is appealing that ruling, the injunction is currently in force, and Apple must comply unless overturned by a higher court.
Epic Bypasses U.S. Developer Ban via Sweden Subsidiary
To navigate Apple’s continued ban of its main U.S. developer account, Epic has submitted Fortnite to the U.S. App Store through a different entity—Epic Games Sweden. This subsidiary was originally formed to establish an Epic Games Store app marketplace in the European Union, where the Digital Markets Act (DMA) recently forced Apple to allow alternative app stores.
Epic insists it had conversations with Apple regarding this plan but never received explicit approval. Whether this workaround will be accepted remains to be seen.
What’s at Stake for Apple and Epic
Sweeney expressed surprise that Apple might be willing to “brave the geopolitical storm” of blocking one of the world’s most downloaded games, particularly as the legal and public scrutiny mounts. Blocking Fortnite’s return could provoke regulatory backlash, especially in light of current tensions over platform monopolies in the U.S. and Europe.
Apple has so far not commented on the situation, but with Epic renewing its submission and the spotlight now firmly on Cupertino, a response may be imminent.
For now, the fate of Fortnite’s return to iPhones and iPads remains uncertain—and players, developers, and regulators alike are watching closely.
