Top 3 Key Points:
- Epic Games Store launches on iPhones in the EU, enabling Fortnite downloads.
- Limited game selection now, but a larger library is planned.
- Epic faces ongoing fees from Apple despite new EU regulations.
Epic Games Store is now available on iPhones across the European Union, following Apple’s compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. This move allows third-party app stores on iOS devices, opening doors for apps like Fortnite to return to iPhones in the region.
To get started, EU iPhone users can now download the Epic Games Store directly from their devices, with a small but growing selection of games. Currently, the store offers popular titles such as Fortnite and Fall Guys, with plans to expand its library significantly. Epic Games aims to hit 100 million mobile downloads by the end of the year, leveraging both iOS and Android platforms.
Epic has long advocated for alternative app stores on iOS, challenging Apple’s dominance over software distribution. The conflict peaked in 2020 when Apple removed Fortnite from its App Store after Epic bypassed Apple’s in-app purchase system.
While the Digital Markets Act has given Epic some ground to stand on, the company continues to push for more changes. Currently, Epic is required to pay Apple a 50-cent fee for every install of its store, an annual charge due to Apple’s Core Technology Fee. This fee also applies to apps within the alternative store, meaning Epic must pay again when users install Fortnite.
Epic, along with companies like Spotify, is actively lobbying for unrestricted access to iOS platforms without additional fees. The EU Commission is currently investigating whether Apple’s Core Technology Fee and other policies comply with the Digital Markets Act, though Apple continues to challenge these regulations.
As of now, the Epic Games Store is available on iPhones running iOS 17.4 or later. The feature will expand to iPads with the release of iPadOS 18. Epic also plans to roll out the store in other regions, starting with Japan in 2025.
