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| A banner asking that Fortnite be unshackled from Apple's allegedly draconian policies for its App Store |
In a move that has left many gamers frustrated, Epic Games has confirmed that Fortnite will not be making a comeback on iPhones in Japan. This announcement comes despite recent Japanese legislation designed to open up Apple's ecosystem, sparking a fresh wave of criticism from Epic's CEO and reigniting a long-running corporate feud.
The root of the latest clash is Japan's Mobile Software Competition Act, a new law requiring Apple to permit third-party app stores on iOS devices. While this seemed to pave the way for Fortnite's return after its high-profile removal in 2020, Epic claims Apple's compliance tactics have made it impossible.
A Feud Reignited: From "Fortnite" Removal to Legal Battles
For those who need a refresher, the Apple-Epic Games feud exploded into public view in August 2020. Epic intentionally bypassed Apple's in-app payment system to avoid the tech giant's standard 30% commission. Apple responded by removing Fortnite from the App Store worldwide, leading to a bitter legal battle. While Epic has secured partial wins, allowing Fortnite's return in the EU via alternative stores and on the official App Store in the U.S., the road in Japan has hit a new wall.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney took to social media to voice his outrage, accusing Apple of undermining the new Japanese law. In a fiery post on X, Sweeney didn't hold back.
“Another travesty of obstruction and lawbreaking in gross disrespect to the government and people of Japan,” Sweeney wrote.
Sadly, Fortnite will not return to iOS in Japan in 2025 as promised. Apple was required 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… pic.twitter.com/7hu5eGMQX6
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) December 18, 2025
Why Epic Says Apple's New Rules are "Competition-Crushing"
On the surface, Apple has adhered to the law by allowing third-party app stores on iPhones (though notably, not on iPads). However, Epic argues the devil is in the details. Sweeney points to what he calls "junk fees" that stifle any real competition.
According to Epic, Apple is charging a 21% commission on third-party in-app payments and 15% on web purchases—a structure Sweeney notes was already "found to be illegal" in related U.S. court proceedings. Furthermore, Apple takes a 5% cut on all apps sold through competing stores and requires developers to use a “mandatory reporting API” that sends transaction data back to Apple.
For users, the experience is also fraught with friction. Those attempting to download from alternative stores are met with stark, multi-screen warnings about security and privacy risks, which critics say are designed to scare users back to the official App Store.
“Obviously, real competition won’t happen, and consumers won’t benefit, when Apple abuses its position between users and competitors to obstruct honest dealing between them,” Sweeney stated, vowing to bring the issue before Japan’s Fair Trade Commission.
Apple's Defense: Safety, Security, and Infrastructure Costs
Apple, for its part, frames these measures as essential protections. The company maintains that its fees are necessary to cover the costs of advanced payment processing technology, intellectual property, and the tools provided to developers. The security warnings and review processes are presented as non-negotiable pillars of user privacy and child safety, core tenets of Apple's brand promise.
This leaves Japanese iOS gamers in a bind. While the law intended to create more choice, the current impasse suggests a direct download of Fortnite remains a distant prospect.
How to Get Fortnite V-Bucks Now
For players looking to gear up in Fortnite on other platforms, V-Bucks and physical gift cards remain readily available through major retailers.
The standoff in Japan is the latest chapter in a global saga over the future of app stores and digital marketplaces. As regulators push for more openness, and companies like Epic fight for what they see as fair competition, consumers are caught in the middle, waiting to see if and when their favorite games will truly have a free path back to their devices.