The return of Fortnite is getting closer…
Epic Games has been trying to bring Fortnite back to the App Store for years. Without any success. Until now. The legal dispute between the development company and Apple caused its withdrawal from the iPhone and iPad. But now it could return thanks to the European Union’s Digital Markets Law.
The regulations of the Digital Markets Law only affected the iPhone. But now the European Commission has determined that the iPad will also have to comply with the regulations. So iPhone emulators, default web browsers, sideloading and yes, also Fortnite, they will soon be available on iPad.
In fact, Epic Games has already announced the return of Fortnite in February 2024. But it will not return through the App Store, but will do so with the Epic Games app store.
Epic Games plans to re-release Fortnite for iPad
Fortnite marked a before and after in the video game industry. Even today, after many years of being number one, It remains one of the most popular games for many players. Its removal from the App Store was a hard blow for many players, but it will soon return. At least in Europe.
Today, the European Commission said that iPads will also need to comply with the Digital Markets Act 🙌
We’re moving full steam ahead to bring Fortnite and the @EpicGames Store to iPhones in the EU soon and iPads this year! 🎉 https://t.co/MHh6EGVinC
— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) April 29, 2024
Today, the European Commission has said that the iPad will also need to comply with the Digital Markets Act.
For now Epic Games has not offered a specific date for the launch of Fortnite on iPhone and iPad. But everything seems to indicate that its arrival on iOS will be imminent. Apple has 6 months for its iPad to comply with the Digital Markets Lawso Fortnite for iPad may be delayed a little longer.
The iPad will bring big changes
The new App Store policy on the iPhone will also come to the iPad. So new features such as default web browsing applications or third-party app stores should also make their debut on the iPad.
But the long-awaited return of Fortnite to the iPad will not be the only novelty in the field of video games. This means that players will also be able to replay their favorite classic games with emulators for iPad.
However, it must be remembered that Apple will continue to review apps for approval even if they are not available in the App Store. Furthermore, we cannot confirm that Fortnite will return to the App Store in countries outside of Europe. We will have to wait a little longer to see how events develop.