Fortnite removes iOS submission from App Store as Apple leaves the game in approval oblivion

After nearly five years of absence, Fortnite is poised for a victorious comeback to iOS devices in the United States, eliciting enthusiasm among millions of fans. The projected relaunch follows a major U.S. court ruling in April 2025 that prohibits Apple from charging commissions on external in-app payment methods, paving the way for Fortnite’s return following its App Store suspension in 2020.

Epic Games, buoyed by the verdict, submitted Fortnite for App Store review on May 9, 2025, with CEO Tim Sweeney optimistically predicting a launch “within the week.” The application offered both Apple’s in-app purchase mechanism and Epic’s external payment option to increase player choice while challenging Apple’s ecosystem dominance.

However, the anticipation has been dampened by delays in Apple’s approval process, which generally approves 90% of apps within 24 hours. Following a week of no response from Apple, Epic Games has taken a bold step to remove its initial submission.

Epic resubmits Fortnite to App Store approval after lengthy approval delays from Apple

Epic Games has made a bold move by resubmitting Fortnite to the iOS App Store, with the goal of reintroducing the beloved title to U.S. iOS gamers. The first submission hit the digital shelves on May 9, 2025, but after Apple’s review dragged on for more than five days, Epic decided to pull it back.

On May 14, Epic rolled out a fresh version that syncs perfectly with Fortnite’s weekly content update schedule, aiming for a seamless experience across all platforms. Tim Sweeney, Epic’s CEO, has been keeping the community in the loop with regular updates on X.

During a podcast on May 6, he shared an optimistic outlook regarding Fortnite’s comeback, hinting that iOS users might be able to jump back into the action by the end of the week. On May 13, he highlighted some concerning delays, remarking, “Fortnite has been stuck in Apple’s review process for almost 100 hours – unusually long for an App Store review.” Following the post, Sweeney provided clarity on the resubmission, highlighting the importance of synchronized updates across all platforms.

Some players voiced their concern on the delay, “Nothing is confirmed, but this could cause a further delay in the approval of Fortnite on iOS,” reflecting a fan’s concern over prolonged wait times. Another user commented, “Tim Sweeney just confirmed that Epic Games has pulled the previous Fortnite version and submitted a new one. This might delay the iOS return even more,” capturing disappointment over setbacks.