Fortnite on mobile devices was a huge part of the game’s community for a while. The answer to how to get Fortnite on iPhone used to be simple, just download it! Things have changed though. The game is going to be available on iPhone again soon, but only in one area and with some complicated set-up. Elsewhere, you still have options though.
Fortnite has been missing from the app store for quite a while now. With streaming services and Epic managing a return in one region though, the situation for Fortnite on iPhone might be looking up.
Source: Basso ES
Is Fortntie on iPhone?
Fortnite used to be a mobile app available across every region, on just about every device. Epic eventually cut the game from iPhone though. Fortnite on mobile devices had full tournaments, its own dedicated community, Fortnite ranking system, the whole nine yards. Then Epic decided to take on Apple.
Apple charges a cut of all in-app purchases. If you make a subscription to a service through an app from their store or in-app purchase, they get a percentage. This applied to in-app purchases in Fortnite too, and Epic decided they didn’t want to pay anymore. Fortnite vanished from the Apple store, there was then a tournament and free skin to commemorate it, and a lot of lawsuits.
For a long time, it looked like that was the end but things changed. Between changes to how mobile phone stores are regulated and Xbox stepping in, there are new ways for how to play Fortnite on iPhone.
With regulations changing and Epic’s lawsuits finishing, there’s a route to get the app available once again, if you’re in Europe.
How to Get Fortnite on iPhone
Epic is soon going to be offering the official Fortnite app again. If you’re in Europe, from March 2024 will begin to offer their own version of the App Store. Download this and you’ll be able to access the Fortnite iPhone app again.
Outside of the European Union, they are still not offering a mobile version of Fortnite. You can still play though. Xbox Cloud Gaming lets you play the Xbox version of games on your iPhone. You can play Fortnite Xbox Cloud Gaming. It’s even free.
© Epic Games
This system is a fun workaround. Your phone isn’t actually running Fortnite though, it’s streaming from Xbox’s own servers. A nice workaround that’s helped to keep Fortnite accessible.
When is Mobile Fortnite Coming back?
If you’re wondering how to get Fortnite on iPhone without streaming, you currently can’t outside of the EU. However, it might not be this way forever. While not all Fortnite seasons have had a mobile version, we might be getting it back soon.
The European Union’s rule change is forcing Apple to allow third-party storefronts through sideloading. This will solve Epic’s problem with Apple and open the door to a return. What about other regions? It looks unlikely that they’ll act right now, but nobody predicted the EU would change their rules.
This would potentially open things back up. We could once again see a dedicated iPhone version of the game. That includes tournaments, and the best Fortnite players once again having to address the iPad running at 120 fps vs an old iPhone problem!
While how to get Fortnite on iPhone right now is quite difficult, it’s easier in one region now. It remains to be seen if other regions will follow along with the rule changes that would allow Fortnite to come back though. Apple could stubbornly only allow it in Europe. However, once back in one region the door is open to workarounds for everyone that could see the official Fortnite back available.
