Fortnite Returns to Australian App Store After Ban

Fortnite is back on Apple's App Store in Australia. Epic Games confirmed on October 21, 2026 that the game would return on October 22, ending a standoff that began when Apple removed Fortnite in August 2020 over in-app payment rules.

Key Takeaways

• Fortnite returned to Apple's Australian App Store on October 22, 2026, after a six-year absence.
• A Federal Court of Australia ruling found Apple breached competition law by locking down iOS app distribution and payments.
• Apple must open iOS in Australia to rival app stores, direct downloads and alternative payment systems by March 1, 2027.
• Apple says it disagrees with the findings and will seek a stay and appeal the outcome.

Why is Fortnite back on iPhone in Australia?

Fortnite is back in Australia because the Federal Court found Apple violated competition law by locking down how iOS handles app distribution and payments. Epic Games announced the return on October 21, and the game went live on the Australian App Store on October 22, 2026.

The dispute traces back to August 2020, when Apple pulled Fortnite after Epic added its own payment option. The Australian case is separate from Epic's US case, and its remedy goes further than a fine: it orders Apple to rebuild parts of how iOS works in Australia.

What did the Australian court order Apple to change?

The court ordered Apple to open iOS in Australia to third-party app stores, direct downloads from developers, and alternative payment systems, with a March 1, 2027 deadline reported for those changes. Developers will also be able to point users to purchases outside apps, and Apple is barred from charging junk fees on purchases made in third-party stores, according to Epic's summary of the ruling.

Apple has pushed back. A spokesperson told Reuters and AAP that Apple respectfully disagrees with many findings, including a market definition rejected by other courts, and that it will request a stay and appeal to protect its intellectual property and the safe, secure experience customers expect from the App Store.

What happens next for Fortnite players outside Australia?

For now, the return is an Australian App Store story. Players in the US and UK are not covered by this ruling, and Epic has not announced a matching return tied to it elsewhere. The March 2027 deadline matters most to Australian developers, who will watch what terms Apple sets for rival stores and payments.

The case also sets a template other regulators may study: a national court ordering a platform owner to change distribution rules, not just pay a penalty. Whether Apple wins a stay could still delay parts of that timetable.

Related on Nexorift: Fortnite v42.40 update notes, Epic free games: Home and Sker Ritual, and No Man's Sky iOS release date.

FAQ

When did Fortnite return to the Australian App Store?

Fortnite returned to Apple's Australian App Store on October 22, 2026.

Why was Fortnite removed from the App Store?

Apple removed Fortnite in August 2020 after a dispute over who controls in-app payments on iOS.

Is Fortnite back on iPhone in the US and UK?

This ruling covers Australia. It does not by itself restore Fortnite to other countries' App Stores on the same terms.

When must Apple open iOS in Australia?

Reports put the deadline at March 1, 2027 for rival app stores, direct downloads and alternative payments, subject to Apple's planned appeal and stay request.

Sources: AAP. Image credits: Images: Epic Games.