The popular battle royale game Fortnite has returned to the US App Store after a five-year absence, making it available for download on iPhones and iPads.

The game was initially removed in 2020 due to a legal dispute between its developer, Epic Games, and Apple over in-app purchase commissions.

This marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle, which centers on Apple’s practice of taking a commission, ranging from 15% to 30%, on in-app transactions conducted through its payment system.

Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, had attempted to circumvent Apple’s commission structure by implementing its own payment system within the app, leading to the game’s removal from the App Store.

The return of Fortnite to the US App Store follows a court order requiring Apple to cease collecting commission on alternative payment systems.

Fortnite fans in the US can now download the game directly from the App Store, with the core gameplay remaining consistent with its previous availability.

The game has expanded beyond its original battle royale format and now includes various modes and experiences, including integrations with brands like Lego and Rocket League.

In the European Union, Fortnite has been available on iPhones and iPads through third-party storefronts since August 2024, as the EU’s Digital Markets Act mandates support for such platforms.

The legal dispute between Epic Games and Apple is not yet resolved, with another hearing scheduled, but Fortnite’s return to the App Store is a step forward.

While Fortnite is now back on the US App Store, it remains unavailable in some regions, such as Australia, where similar legal disputes between Epic Games and Apple are ongoing.