"Fortnite" might return to Apple iPhones and iPads this 2023, no less than Epic Games Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tim Sweeney hints in its recent tweet.
It has been a while since the hit battle royale, "Fortnite," bid farewell to the Apple App Store, making it unavailable to iOS and iPadOS users. However, this year might just change that.
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A visitor takes pictures at the stand of the "Fortnite" computer game at the media day of the Gamescom video games trade fair in Cologne, western Germany, on August 20, 2019.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney Hints 'Fortnite' Return to Apple iPhones
As per the latest report by 9to5 Mac, two years passed since the iPhone maker kicked out "Fortnite" from the App Store.
It comes after Epic Games updated its battle royale title, which allows its players to bypass the in-app purchases of the Cupertino-based giant. It has been a legal battle between the gaming firm and Apple since then.
But this time, it looks like the phenomenal game is gearing up to return to iPhones and iPads this 2023.
The big boss of Epic himself teased the much-awaited comeback of hit battle royale to Apple devices as we welcome the new year.
The recent tweet by Sweeney comes shortly after rumors pointing out that Apple might soon open its doors to alternative app stores.
As such, given that the iPhone maker has banned the popular gaming title on its official app marketplace. The teaser of the Epic boss might be hinting that "Fortnite" is making its comeback through an alternative app store.
9to5 Mac notes in its story that Epic Games has yet to formally announce the return of "Fortnite" to iPhones.
However, Sweeney tweeted before the new year saying, "next year on iOS!" The Epic Games boss kept mum on further details. So it remains to be seen how "Fortnite" is making its comeback this year. Given that, it is also unclear when it will arrive.
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Apple Alternative App Stores
According to a news story by Phone Arena, the European Union is pushing the iPhone maker to start welcoming sideloading or alternative app stores on its devices.
(Photo : ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
This illustration picture shows the logo from Epic Games displayed on a laptop and an Apple Logo on an iPhone in Arlington, Virginia on April 30, 2021. - In a court clash with potentially huge repercussions for the world of mobile tech, Fortnite maker Epic Games takes on Apple starting on May 3, 2021, aiming to break the grip of the iPhone maker on its online marketplace.
Thanks to the Digital Markets Act, Apple would soon have to allow its users in the region to install apps from third-party platforms other than its App Store.
9to5 Mac notes that Apple is reportedly working to welcome third-party app stores on iOS even before the EU forces the renowned tech giant to comply.
With that, the return of "Fortnite" to iOS might be around the corner.
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