Epic Games Launches Fortnite on iOS in the UK Under New Law
Fortnite returns to iPhones in the UK as Epic Games launches its mobile store, taking advantage of the newly enforced DMCC Act.
The Return of the Battle Bus
Fortnite is finally back on iPhones in the United Kingdom. Epic Games officially launched its popular battle royale game on iOS today, ending a four-year absence for British players. The sudden comeback is the direct result of the UK government enforcing the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Act. This landmark law aims to break the monopoly of tech giants like Apple and Google.
UK iPhone users can now download the Epic Games Store directly to their devices. Through this store, players can access Fortnite along with other Epic titles like Fall Guys and Rocket League Sideswipe. This makes the UK the second major European market where Epic has bypassed Apple’s App Store. The company pulled off a similar launch in the European Union earlier this year, thanks to the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
How the DMCC Act Leveled the Playing Field
For years, Apple kept iOS closed to outside storefronts. The DMCC Act changed the rules of the game in the UK. Enforced by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the legislation targets tech firms with ‘Strategic Market Status.’ It forces them to allow third-party marketplaces and alternative payment systems on their platforms.
The penalties for ignoring the law are severe. Tech companies face fines of up to 10% of their global annual revenue if they refuse to comply. Facing these massive penalties, Apple opened its mobile operating system to Epic’s marketplace. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney celebrated the launch as a major turning point for the industry.
‘This is a massive win for British gamers and the entire mobile industry,’ Sweeney said. ‘For years, Apple has locked down its ecosystem to stifle competition and extract exorbitant fees. The UK’s new digital markets law has broken those walls down, allowing us to bring our store and our games directly to players on our own terms.’
A Complicated Setup Process
While the game is back, getting it onto an iPhone is not as simple as clicking a single button in the App Store. Because Apple does not make third-party installation easy, users must navigate several warning screens. Apple calls these security prompts, while Epic views them as intentional roadblocks designed to scare off users. To help players, Epic has published detailed step-by-step guides to help them through the installation process.
Apple continues to defend its strict security measures. ‘Our goal has always been to protect the privacy and security of our users,’ the company said in a statement. ‘While we are complying with the DMCC Act, we continue to believe that alternative app distribution channels introduce new risks to the iOS ecosystem.’
The Long Battle for Mobile Freedom
The bitter feud between Apple and Epic began in August 2020. Epic introduced a direct payment system inside Fortnite to avoid Apple’s 30% cut of in-app transactions. Apple retaliated by kicking Fortnite off the App Store, sparking a global legal battle. For four years, British iOS users had to rely on cloud streaming services to play the game on their phones. Many complained about the lag and the clumsy setup.
The UK launch is a major milestone, but Epic is not stopping here. The company is actively lobbying for similar laws in other major markets, including the United States, Japan, and Australia. For now, British players are just happy they can finally jump back into the game without needing a web browser or a paid cloud subscription.
