Epic Games Set to Relaunch Fortnite on iOS in Japan Under New Law

Fortnite is making its official return to iPhones in Japan. Epic Games announced the move following the passage of a sweeping new Japanese law aimed at breaking up the smartphone duopoly of Apple and Google. The decision marks another major crack in Apple’s once-impenetrable app ecosystem.

The Japanese parliament passed the Act on Promotion of Competition for Specified Smartphone Software in June. Designed to spur competition, the law prohibits mobile operating system giants from blocking third-party app stores and alternative payment systems. Epic Games wasted no time. Shortly after the bill cleared the legislature, the developer declared its intention to launch both the Epic Games Store and its flagship battle royale title on Japanese iOS devices by late 2025.

Japan Cracks Down on Tech Giants

Japan’s new legislation targets the core business model of Apple and Google. Under the new rules, these tech giants cannot favor their own services over those of rivals. They must allow users to download apps from independent marketplaces and use cheaper third-party billing options. The penalties for ignoring these rules are severe. Companies that violate the law face fines of up to 20% of their domestic revenue from the offending service. If they continue to break the rules, that penalty can skyrocket to 30%.

This is a major shift. For years, Apple maintained strict control over what software could run on iPhones, claiming the walled-garden approach was necessary for user security and privacy. Regulators in Tokyo did not buy that argument. They argued that the high commissions—often reaching 30%—hurt local developers and drove up prices for everyday consumers.

The Long-Running Feud

The return of Fortnite to Japanese iPhones is a symbolic victory for Epic Games. The feud began in August 2020. In an intentional provocation, Epic updated Fortnite to let players buy in-game currency directly from them, bypassing Apple’s payment system. Apple immediately kicked Fortnite off the App Store. Epic sued, kickstarting a multi-year global legal and public relations battle.

For years, iPhone users wanting to play Fortnite had to rely on cloud streaming workarounds. Native gameplay was out of the question. Now, the tables are turning. Epic is using new regulatory frameworks around the world to force its way back onto mobile screens on its own terms.

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A Global Domino Effect

Japan is not the first country to force Apple’s hand. The move closely mirrors the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which forced Apple to allow alternative app marketplaces in Europe earlier this year. Thanks to the DMA, Epic launched its mobile games store in the EU, bringing Fortnite back to European iPhones after a four-year absence.

Other countries are watching closely. The United Kingdom, South Korea, and several US states have investigated or passed laws targeting mobile app store monopolies. While Epic’s legal battles in US courts yielded mixed results, its lobbying efforts with international regulators are paying off handsomely.

What Lies Ahead for Players

Japanese iPhone users will have to wait a bit longer. The new law is expected to go into full effect by late 2025, and Epic plans to align its store launch with that timeline. When it does arrive, players will be able to download the Epic Games Store directly from the web and install Fortnite natively.

This transition will not be entirely smooth. Apple has historically fought these mandates by introducing new fee structures and notarization processes for third-party apps, arguing they are necessary to protect users from malware. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has repeatedly criticized these measures, calling them “malicious compliance.” The battle in Japan will likely see similar friction as the implementation deadline approaches.

For now, though, the momentum has clearly shifted. The era of absolute app store monopolies is ending, one country at a time.