Epic Games launched Fortnite on the Xbox PC Store in mid-November 2025, making it the first time the massively popular battle royale has been available on Windows PC through any platform besides Epic’s own launcher. The move stands in stark contrast to Apple and Google’s approach, both of which removed Fortnite from their mobile app stores in August 2020 and have fought Epic in court ever since. While Apple spent five years keeping Fortnite off iOS, Microsoft welcomed the game with open arms, even including Fortnite Crew benefits with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions.
Microsoft’s Welcoming Approach Versus Apple’s Blockade
The Xbox PC Store launch lets players install and play Fortnite directly through Microsoft’s gaming platform without needing Epic Games Launcher. You can place a desktop icon and launch straight into the game, integrating seamlessly with Xbox features and Microsoft’s payment systems. Players who subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate even get Fortnite Crew benefits included, which normally costs $11.99 monthly, providing the Battle Pass and 1,000 V-Bucks each month at no additional charge.
This partnership between Microsoft and Epic represents exactly what Epic has been fighting for in its legal battles with Apple. Microsoft allows competing stores on its platforms, doesn’t force developers to use specific payment systems exclusively, and actively welcomes major titles like Fortnite rather than blocking them over business disputes. The Xbox PC Store implementation works smoothly, with players reporting they can make purchases through Microsoft’s payment system and everything functions as expected.
Meanwhile, Apple continues blocking Fortnite from the US App Store after five years of legal warfare. Epic successfully got Fortnite back on the App Store in select international markets under new regulations forcing Apple to open up, but in the United States, iPhone and iPad users still can’t download or play Fortnite natively. The only workaround is Xbox Cloud Gaming, which lets players stream Fortnite through a web browser on iOS devices, though this provides an inferior experience compared to native apps.
The Five-Year Legal War That Never Ends
The conflict began in August 2020 when Epic deliberately implemented a direct payment system in Fortnite that bypassed Apple and Google’s mandatory in-app purchase mechanisms. Both companies take 30 percent commissions on digital purchases made through their platforms, and their terms of service explicitly prohibit developers from directing users to alternative payment methods. Epic knew exactly what it was doing, preparing legal documentation and a massive marketing campaign before flipping the switch.
Apple and Google immediately removed Fortnite from their respective app stores. Epic filed lawsuits the same day against both companies, accusing them of maintaining illegal monopolies. The case against Apple went to trial in May 2021, with a federal judge eventually ruling that Apple must allow developers to inform users about alternative payment options. However, the judge also ruled that Apple’s App Store doesn’t constitute an illegal monopoly under antitrust law, handing Epic a partial victory that satisfied neither party.
Both Epic and Apple appealed various aspects of the ruling, resulting in years of additional legal proceedings. In May 2025, after nearly five years of absence, Epic finally got Fortnite back on the US App Store following pressure from a federal judge. That victory lasted mere weeks before Apple blocked Epic’s new submission, claiming it wouldn’t restore Fortnite until appeals courts ruled on Epic’s request for a partial stay. Apple’s lawyers explicitly told Epic the company was punishing them for fighting legal battles and warning other developers not to challenge Apple’s practices.
The situation with Google followed a similar trajectory but with different outcomes. Epic sued Google over the same issues, and in late 2023, a jury found that Google’s Play Store constituted an illegal monopoly. A federal judge ordered Google to allow competing app stores on Android and stop requiring the use of Google Play Billing for in-app purchases. Google appealed these rulings but lost. In December 2025, after more than five years, Fortnite finally returned to the Google Play Store in the United States, though not all international markets have access yet.
Japan Becomes the Latest Battleground
Just days ago on December 18, 2025, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney revealed that Fortnite will not return to iOS in Japan in 2025 despite new regulations requiring Apple to open up to competing stores. Sweeney accused Apple of launching another travesty of obstruction and lawbreaking in gross disrespect to the government and people of Japan. According to Sweeney, Apple introduced a new 5 percent junk fee on all revenue from apps distributed by competing stores and mandates surveillance of all transactions through a required reporting API.
Sweeney compared the situation to a hypothetical scenario where Microsoft required all games on Steam and Epic Games Store to use Microsoft’s commerce surveillance API and report all transactions back to the company. He announced that Epic would address the Japanese Fair Trade Commission about Apple’s compliance failures. This represents yet another front in the ongoing global war between Epic and Apple over app store policies and control.
Why Microsoft’s Approach Works Better
Microsoft’s decision to welcome Fortnite onto the Xbox PC Store demonstrates an alternative business model that benefits everyone involved. Epic gets access to Microsoft’s substantial PC gaming audience without surrendering control of its payment systems. Microsoft strengthens its gaming platform by offering one of the world’s most popular games. Players get more options for where to download and play Fortnite, with integration into Xbox features and Game Pass benefits.
The arrangement shows that platform holders don’t need to maintain iron-fisted control over every transaction to run profitable ecosystems. Microsoft already proved this when it allowed Epic Games Store to be listed in the Microsoft Store back in October 2021. The company explicitly contrasted its open policies with Apple’s restrictive approach, positioning itself as developer-friendly during Epic’s highly publicized legal battles.
Microsoft’s Xbox head Phil Spencer tweeted support for Epic during the Apple dispute, stating that ensuring Epic has access to the latest Apple technology is the right thing for game developers and gamers. Microsoft also filed court documents backing Epic’s position, noting that Apple’s threats to revoke Epic’s access to iOS and macOS development tools would prevent Epic from supporting Unreal Engine on those platforms, harming game creators and players beyond just Fortnite.
The Broader Context of Microsoft’s Gaming Strategy
Microsoft’s openness toward Fortnite aligns with broader strategic shifts in its gaming division throughout 2025. The company raised Xbox Game Pass Ultimate pricing from $19.99 to $29.99 monthly in October, a 50 percent increase that drew significant backlash. To justify the hike, Microsoft added 75 day-one releases annually, included Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft Plus Classics subscriptions, and upgraded Xbox Cloud Gaming streaming quality.
The partnership with Epic for Fortnite benefits both companies. Microsoft gets to offer Fortnite Crew as a Game Pass perk without developing competing battle royale content. Epic reaches Game Pass’s substantial subscriber base, potentially converting free players into paying customers through included premium currency and Battle Pass access. The arrangement demonstrates how platform holders can work with third-party developers rather than fighting them over revenue splits and control.
Xbox Cloud Gaming as the iOS Workaround
For iOS users desperate to play Fortnite without switching to Android, Xbox Cloud Gaming provides a streaming solution. Microsoft partnered with Epic in May 2022 to bring Fortnite to Xbox Cloud Gaming completely free, requiring no Xbox Game Pass subscription. Players just need a Microsoft account and compatible device with internet connection to start playing through a web browser at xbox.com/play.
The browser-based approach circumvents Apple’s App Store entirely since Safari runs Fortnite through remote servers rather than installing the game locally. Picture quality and input latency depend on internet connection quality, making the experience inferior to native apps, but it works. Microsoft explicitly positioned this as helping players access Fortnite on platforms where app stores block it, taking another jab at Apple’s restrictive policies.
Nvidia offered a similar solution through GeForce Now, its cloud gaming service, allowing iPhone users to stream Fortnite after Apple’s ban. Epic partnered with Nvidia to ensure all revenue from purchases flows back to Epic rather than Nvidia taking a cut. These workarounds exist because platform holders like Microsoft and Nvidia recognize that artificial restrictions harm players without providing meaningful benefits to anyone except the companies maintaining closed ecosystems.
The 30 Percent Commission Controversy
At the heart of Epic’s dispute with Apple and Google sits the 30 percent commission both companies demand on in-app digital purchases. Epic argues this rate is excessive and exploitative, made possible only through the monopoly power these companies wield over their respective mobile ecosystems. Apple and Google counter that the commission funds app store operations, security review processes, payment processing infrastructure, and platform development.
Epic’s direct payment implementation in Fortnite offered players discounts for purchasing V-Bucks outside Apple and Google’s systems, with savings passed directly to consumers. A $9.99 V-Bucks pack purchased through the default App Store method cost only $7.99 through Epic’s direct payment option. This pricing demonstrated Epic’s argument that Apple and Google’s commissions artificially inflate prices rather than providing commensurate value.
Microsoft’s approach on PC differs significantly. The Xbox PC Store takes revenue cuts from game sales, but developers can implement their own payment systems for in-game content. Fortnite on Xbox PC Store processes V-Bucks purchases through Microsoft’s payment infrastructure, but the terms Epic negotiated apparently satisfy the company since they willingly brought Fortnite to the platform. The existence of this deal proves that platform holders and developers can negotiate arrangements that work for both parties when monopoly power doesn’t force one-sided terms.
FAQs
When did Fortnite launch on Xbox PC Store?
Fortnite launched on the Xbox PC Store in mid-November 2025. This marked the first time the game was available on Windows PC through any platform besides Epic Games Launcher.
Can I play Fortnite on iPhone in 2025?
Fortnite returned to the US App Store briefly in May 2025 but was quickly blocked again by Apple. As of December 2025, iPhone users in the United States cannot download Fortnite natively. The only option is streaming through Xbox Cloud Gaming via web browser, which is free and requires only a Microsoft account.
Is Fortnite back on Google Play Store?
Yes, Fortnite returned to the Google Play Store in the United States on December 11, 2025, after more than five years of absence. This followed a federal court ruling that Google’s Play Store constituted an illegal monopoly and orders forcing Google to allow competing app stores.
Do I need Xbox Game Pass to play Fortnite on Xbox PC Store?
No, Fortnite remains free-to-play on Xbox PC Store. However, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers get Fortnite Crew included at no additional cost, which normally costs $11.99 monthly and provides the Battle Pass plus 1,000 V-Bucks each month.
Why did Apple remove Fortnite in 2020?
Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store in August 2020 after Epic deliberately implemented a direct payment system that bypassed Apple’s mandatory 30 percent commission on in-app purchases. Epic sued Apple the same day, accusing the company of maintaining an illegal monopoly.
Can I play Fortnite on iOS in Japan?
No, despite new regulations requiring Apple to open iOS to competing stores, Fortnite will not return to iOS in Japan in 2025. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney accused Apple of implementing new obstruction tactics including a 5 percent fee on competing store revenues and mandatory transaction surveillance.
Does Microsoft support Epic against Apple?
Yes, Microsoft filed court documents supporting Epic during the Apple lawsuit, with Xbox head Phil Spencer publicly stating that ensuring Epic has access to Apple’s technology is the right thing for developers and gamers. Microsoft positioned itself as developer-friendly in contrast to Apple’s restrictive policies.
Why did Epic fight Apple and Google over commission rates?
Epic argues that Apple and Google’s 30 percent commissions are excessive and only possible because of monopoly power over mobile ecosystems. Epic implemented direct payments offering discounted V-Bucks prices, with savings passed to consumers, to demonstrate that the platform commissions artificially inflate prices.
Conclusion
The contrast between Microsoft welcoming Fortnite onto the Xbox PC Store and Apple’s continued five-year blockade of the game perfectly illustrates two competing visions for how platform ecosystems should operate. Microsoft’s approach prioritizes openness, developer relationships, and player choice, allowing Epic to bring Fortnite to Windows PC gamers through Microsoft’s infrastructure while maintaining Epic’s payment systems and business model. Apple’s approach prioritizes absolute control, using the threat of removal to enforce compliance with terms that Epic and many other developers consider exploitative.
The legal battles between Epic and Apple show no signs of ending soon. Every time Epic achieves a victory like getting Fortnite restored to the App Store, Apple finds new ways to block or obstruct the game through procedural tactics, fees, or surveillance requirements. The Japan situation demonstrates this pattern repeating globally as different countries implement regulations forcing Apple to open up its ecosystem. Apple complies with the letter of the law while implementing new restrictions that maintain effective control.
For players, the situation remains frustrating. Android users finally have access to Fortnite through the Play Store again after five years. PC players can now download Fortnite through Xbox PC Store if they prefer Microsoft’s platform. But iPhone and iPad users in most markets remain locked out unless they resort to streaming workarounds that provide inferior experiences. The arbitrary nature of these restrictions highlights how platform control benefits companies while harming consumers who just want to play games.
Microsoft’s partnership with Epic for Fortnite proves that platform holders don’t need Apple’s level of control to run successful profitable ecosystems. By allowing developers more freedom while still taking reasonable cuts on appropriate transactions, Microsoft attracts major titles and builds goodwill with the development community. The approach seems to be working, as Xbox Game Pass continues growing despite price increases and Microsoft positions itself as the developer-friendly alternative to closed platforms.
Whether courts will eventually force Apple to truly open iOS or whether the company will continue finding loopholes and workarounds remains unclear. What is clear is that Microsoft’s welcoming attitude toward Fortnite stands in stark contrast to Apple’s five-year war to keep the game off iOS. For anyone frustrated with walled gardens and arbitrary platform restrictions, the Xbox PC Store launch of Fortnite represents exactly what gaming ecosystems should look like when platform holders prioritize players and developers over absolute control.