Fortnite is set to make its comeback on the U.S. iOS App Store and iPhones next week following a major court ruling, as announced by Epic CEO Tim Sweeney.

On April 30, a U.S. Federal District Court in California ruled that Apple deliberately violated a court mandate in the Epic Games v. Apple case. The order required Apple to allow developers to provide alternative payment methods outside their apps.

In a tweet, Sweeney extended an olive branch to Apple after years of legal disputes: "If Apple adopts the court's friction-free, commission-free model globally, we'll reinstate Fortnite worldwide and cease all related legal actions," he stated.

Earlier this year, IGN reported on Sweeney's multibillion-dollar crusade against Apple and Google's app store policies. He described it to IGN as a strategic investment in Epic's future, emphasizing the company could sustain this battle indefinitely.

Sweeney's relentless campaign to bypass platform fees while restoring Fortnite's mobile presence is widely known. The core issue: Epic refuses to pay the standard 30% revenue cut and seeks to distribute games like Fortnite through its own Epic Games Store without platform restrictions. This standoff led to Fortnite's removal from iOS in 2020.

Now, after nearly five years, Fortnite is poised to return to U.S. iOS devices.

Sweeney celebrated the court decision on Twitter: "NO FEES on web transactions. The Apple Tax is finished."

"These 15-30% unreasonable charges are now as defunct in the U.S. as they are in Europe under the Digital Markets Act. Illegal here, illegal everywhere," he added.

The court has referred Apple to federal prosecutors for breaching its order. "Apple's persistent anti-competitive behavior won't be excused," declared U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. "This is a judicial order, not a discussion. Willful disobedience has consequences."

Judge Rogers specifically implicated Apple and finance VP Alex Roman for criminal contempt, citing testimony filled with "deception and outright falsehoods" regarding compliance efforts.

Apple responded by stating, "We vehemently disagree with this ruling. While we'll comply, we intend to appeal."

After numerous expensive legal fights, Epic has achieved its most significant breakthrough yet—prior victories were largely confined to Europe through DMA regulations.

The Epic Games Store launched on EU iPhones and global Android devices in August 2023, featuring Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe, and Fall Guys. However, mobile distribution remains challenging, with Epic claiming "warning screens" deter up to half of potential users.

These legal battles have taken a toll, including a September 2023 layoff of 830 employees (16% of staff). Despite this, Sweeney maintained in October that Epic was "financially stable," citing record performance for both Fortnite and the Epic Games Store.