Epic Games CEO has revealed that Fortnite will not return to iOS in Japan in 2025, firing shots at Apple for obstructing its release.
Epic Games has been fighting hard to bring Fortnite back to iOS devices worldwide, but has faced major roadblocks from Apple. After releasing Fortnite in the EU, Apple blocked the game on iOS, preventing its release in the US. Now, it seems a similar situation has occurred in Japan.
Fortnite Will Not Return to iOS in Japan in 2025
A new post by Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney on X (formerly Twitter) reveals that Fortnite’s return to iOS in Japan has been blocked. The post reveals that Apple was supposed to “open up iOS to competing stores today, and instead of doing so honestly, they have launched another travesty of obstruction and lawbreaking in gross disrespect to the government and people of Japan.” The CEO proceeded to present more facts in the thread.
Sweeney revealed that Apple is charging “a competition-crushing 21% junk fee on third-party in-app payments, and 15% for purchases made on the web.” Explaining that this practice has been “found to be illegal in the contempt of court proceeding that Apple lost, and the 9th Circuit Court upheld.” Additionally, Sweeney stated that Apple is presenting users with “new anticompetitive warning screens meant to mislead customers into believing their privacy and financial security are at risk when dealing with Apple competitors.”
The Epic Games CEO added that Apple is “imposing a new 5% junk fee on all revenue from apps distributed by competing stores, and intend to surveil all transactions within them using a mandatory reporting API.” He has also stated that they will be raising their complaints with the Japanese Fair Trade Commission.
In other news, Fortnite has announced a $2.5 million Reload Elite Series finals at the Esports World Cup. Additionally, here are the Fortnite December 18 update & Winterfest 2025 patch notes. What are your thoughts on Fortnite’s return to iOS in Japan being blocked?
