It's the end of a long battle between Epic Games and Apple: Fortnite will finally be available on iPhone. After being banned from Apple's App Store, Epic Games will be able to launch its own App Store on iPhone thanks to new European DMA regulations.
This is an unexpected turn in the heated relationship between Apple and Epic Games (the publisher of Fortnite): the Apple brand has finally decided to reintegrate Epic Games into its developer program, allowing it to launch its own App Store on the iPhone in Europe.
As a reminder, Epic Games planned to take advantage of the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in Europe, which aims to regulate the practices of large online platforms, to launch its own app store on iPhone.
But Apple deleted Epic Games' developer account, arguing that the company was not Reliable business partner. This decision sparked strong criticism, especially from the European Commission, which announced that it would closely monitor the actions of Apple and other technology giants regarding their integration with new European regulations.
Apple is backing down
Facing mounting pressure, Apple finally backed down, and the American company allowed Epic Games to re-sign the developer agreement and join the Apple Developer Program. This decision follows talks between the two companies, during which Epic Games reportedly committed to respecting Apple's rules, including those related to DMA.
Mark Gurman, one of Apple's most famous analysts, He confirmed the newssaying: ” Apple reverses Epic ban: After conversations with Epic, it has committed to following the rules, including our DMA policies. As a result, Epic Switzerland AB was allowed to re-sign the Developer Agreement and be accepted into the Apple Developer Program. “.
Apple has so far maintained a hard line against Epic Games. The decision to allow Epic Games to join the Developer Program paves the way for the launch of the Epic Games App Store on iPhone in Europe. And so…to the return of Fortnite on iPhone.
