Fortnite's Return to iPhone Reveals a New Possibility

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After a long absence since August 2020, Fortnite is back on iOS, bringing the same excitement, but with many changes in the landscape.

Following years of legal battles, speculation, and the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Epic Games has finally brought its flagship title back to mobile devices. Fortnite has reappeared on the newly launched Epic Games Store for both iOS and Android, as well as on the AltStore PAL third-party marketplace.

However, there are some limitations. While Android users worldwide can access the store, only iPhone users based in the European Union can download it, thanks to the DMA, which has loosened Apple's tight control over its ecosystem. The launch of the Epic Games Store offers a glimpse into the possibilities opened up by these new regulations and could mark a significant turning point for third-party app stores on iOS.

Since the EU’s compliance date in March, four alternative app stores have emerged, but none have yet made a significant impact. Setapp Mobile is gradually expanding its offerings but is still in closed beta; Mobivention remains focused on B2B services; Aptoide has only partially launched, limiting access to 500 users per day; and AltStore PAL has struggled to get its apps fully approved.

Today's launch of the Epic Games Store might change this dynamic. With a catalog that includes world-renowned games like Fortnite, Fall Guys, and Rocket League, Epic Games may be the catalyst that ignites widespread interest in alternative app stores.

Installation

Installing the Epic Games Store on an iPhone in Europe is similar to other alternative marketplaces and involves around a dozen steps. For first-time users, this process might seem daunting, but Epic provides clear and easy-to-follow instructions. However, there is a minor inconsistency in the FAQ, which states that the Epic Games Store can be installed on phones running "iOS 17.4 or later," though an update to iOS 17.6 was necessary during testing.

The Epic Games Store launches on both iOS and Android with Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe, and a mobile version of Fall Guys. Once the marketplace is set up, installing a game is as simple as clicking "install."

The Fortnite experience on iOS is impressive. The game runs flawlessly, with no issues in screen responsiveness, network connection, or graphics. The only odd feeling comes from realizing how long players have been unable to play Fortnite in this way on iOS.

The installation process on Android is similar to iOS but requires fewer steps—about eight screen interactions. After that, everything proceeds smoothly. Installing Fortnite on Android and iOS delivered a consistent gaming experience, with only minor differences due to the hardware used for testing (a less powerful Google Pixel 5 on Android and an iPhone Pro Max 13 on iOS).

The Epic Games Store isn't the only way to access these titles. Users of AltStore PAL can also download Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe, and Fall Guys Mobile, with Aptoide support expected in the future.

Installing AltStore PAL on iOS is also cumbersome, thanks to Apple's restrictions. The marketplace requires users to add "sources," URLs containing JSON files with app metadata. While this might sound complex, it's straightforward in practice: add a link and receive a list of apps from a developer. For Epic Games' titles, it's even easier, as the store is already included in AltStore PAL's recommended sources.

Adding Epic Games as a source is simple since AltStore PAL lists it as a recommended source.

Once Epic Games is added as a source, installing games is just a matter of starting the download. The Epic Games Store, however, offers a more polished experience than AltStore PAL, not just in terms of user interface but also functionality. For instance, the Epic Games Store will soon include Parental Controls, allowing guardians to restrict access to age-inappropriate content and control spending. Nonetheless, both marketplaces achieve the same goal: enabling users to install and play games.

A Watershed Moment?

Epic Games is adopting a rising-tide-lifts-all-boats strategy in supporting alternative app stores, which could significantly increase its revenue—provided it can convince users to step outside Big Tech’s ecosystem.

Earlier this week, Epic Games awarded AltStore PAL a MegaGrant, making it free to use and significantly boosting its chances of gaining mainstream traction. Since AltStore PAL doesn't host developers' apps directly, it doesn't take a cut of downloads or eat into Epic's profits. Therefore, Epic has little to lose and much to gain by distributing its games through its store and other third-party marketplaces.

There's also a public relations angle to Epic's strategy, as it seeks to gain favor with regulators in the EU, UK, and US, who are investigating antitrust complaints against Apple and Google. Several potential outcomes from these investigations could positively impact Epic’s bottom line.

Regardless of Epic's motivations, the industry has been waiting for a major player to draw a large audience to third-party app stores. Epic Games, with its ownership of Fortnite, might just be that player. If these third-party app stores attract users, it could encourage other developers to follow suit, many of whom might prefer Epic’s 12 percent revenue cut over Apple’s 30 percent cut on the App Store.

However, last week Apple introduced new rules that take a portion of off-platform sales, making third-party app stores less attractive to developers. For these stores to gain mass adoption, a significant number of users must be willing to overlook the numerous warnings they encounter during installation.

Apple is particularly determined to prevent the rise of alternative marketplaces, as it earns an estimated $70 billion annually from the App Store, and it won't give up this revenue without a fight.

Epic Games has put the future of third-party marketplaces on iOS in a precarious position. Now, we can only wait to see if it will manage to challenge Apple’s dominance.