Apple offers support for third-party app stores since iOS 17.4
With the release of the iOS 17.4 update came historical news to the iPhone operating system software. Apple introduced support for third-party stores, new default web browsing apps, cloud-based streaming game apps, and iPhone emulators. This brings with it a much-awaited new feature for iPhone users: the return of fortnite.
Fortnite, the popular Battle Royale game from Epic Games, It was removed from the App Store during the month of August 2022Now, almost two years later, the title could return to the iPhone and iPad.
Epic Games has already launched its Epic Games Store for iPhone and has sent Apple a request for its imminent launch on the iPhone. The Epic Games Store will soon join the best alternative app stores for iPhone and iPad. Apple has already approved its launch.
The end of a long and almost endless dispute between Apple and Epic Games
Epic Games announced its own alternative to the App Store on the iPhone in February 2024
Since Fortnite was removed from the App Store, both companies have been engaged in a tug-of-war that has only caused unrest among iPhone users. Epic Games has sued Apple on multiple occasions –like many other companies such as Spotify– to the European Commission and has accused Apple of delaying the launch of the Epic Games Store during the verification process.
According to Epic Games, Apple has twice rejected its documents for approval of its store due to the design of certain buttons and other elements.Apple apparently detailed that its design was similar to those used in its App Store.
Epic Games defended itself against the rejection of its store by explaining that it is the same design used by other alternative stores:
We’re using the same nomenclature for installations and in-app purchases that is used in popular app stores across multiple platforms, and we’re following standard conventions for buttons in iOS apps.
1/3 Apple has rejected our Epic Games Store notarization submission twice now, claiming the design and position of Epic’s “Install” button is too similar to Apple’s “Get” button and that our “In-app purchases” label is too similar to the App Store’s “In-App Purchases” label.
— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) July 5, 2024
Epic Games representatives say Apple’s rejection is arbitrary, obstructive and violates the European Union’s Digital Markets Act.
Now, finally, the “epic” battle between Epic Games and Apple seems to be coming to an end. Apple has approved Epic Games’ application and its store will bring Fortnite back to the iPhone… and more than likely the iPad as well.
This whole mess started in 2020, when Epic Games complained about 30% App Store commissions from Apple. They considered it an anti-competitive practice and, after trying to bypass the App Store rules, Apple decided to withdraw the Fortnite game and cancel the Epic Games developer account.
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