Fortnite won't return to iOS in UK in 2025, or even mid-2026

Fortnite will not return to iOS in the UK through 2025, or the first half of 2026, new regulatory filings indicate.

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Today, the UK regulators at the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published roadmaps for their investigations into Google's and Apple's mobile stores. This roadmap does not include forcing Apple to break open the App Store and allow alternative third-party competing storefronts on the platform; Epic Games wants to bring the Epic Games Store to iOS and be allowed to sell its games without having to pay extra fees, but that plan has been temporarily stymied.

The CMA has chosen to prioritize other areas of focus, much to Epic's ire. "We can't bring the Epic Games Store to iOS in the UK this year (if ever), and Fortnite's return to iOS in the UK is now uncertain. The UK competition regulator is choosing not to prioritize opening the mobile ecosystem to alternative app stores this year," Epic wrote in a blog post.

• Read more: Apple and Google might face new rules as UK finds they are 'holding back innovation'
• Read more: Google must allow third-party stores on Google Play as judge issues final Epic v Google ruling
• Read more: Google appeals historic antitrust lawsuit ruling that threatens its $12.4 billion mobile biz

UK regulators haven't ruled out forcing alternative app stores on iOS, however it won't be a priority for this first phase. Regulators are trying to determine whether or not both Google and Apple have what's called Strategic Market Status (SMS), a designation that requires companies to adhere to specific laws and rules.

The CMA's roadmap encompasses all of 2025 and the first half of 2026, so this means that alternative app stores may not be in the CMA's area of focus until June 2026.

Check the roadmap below, and be aware that things could change:

Category 1: Potential conduct requirements we will aim to begin consulting on from autumn 2025

• Requiring that Apple reviews apps to be distributed in its app store in a fair, objective and transparent manner
• Requiring that Apple ranks apps in its app store in a fair, objective and transparent manner
• Requiring that Apple does not use data collected for the purposes of reviewing apps unfairly, such as for its own app development purposes
• Requiring that Apple allows app developers to direct their potential customers off the App Store (steering)
• Requiring Apple to fairly and objectively consider requests from third parties for interoperable access to functionality in its operating systems

Category 2: Measures we will consider from the first half of 2026.

• Requiring that Apple enables interoperable access for third parties to key functionality in iOS and iPadOS in relation to key use cases
• Requiring Apple to allow third-party browsers and app developers to use alternative browser engines on iOS and iPadOS
• We will explore the factors likely to be of particular importance for the development of AI services on mobile with a view to considering whether measures are needed such as greater interoperability, and improved choice architecture
• We will undertake further work to explore the potential for Progressive Web Apps

Category 3: Issues that we are not currently prioritising

• Requiring that users are able to set key third-party apps as their defaults, not only Apple's own apps
• Requiring improved data transfer and switching APIs to enable users to more easily switch between iOS and Android ecosystems
• Requiring Apple to make changes to greater enable mobile network operators to undertake network slicing, and other connectivity measures
• Requiring that Apple makes changes to its privacy policies regarding advertising (eg Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP), App Tracking Transparency (ATT), and Private Relay)
• Requiring Apple to provide third-party browsers using WebKit with access to equivalent functionality as that used by Safari
• Other potential interventions to improve competition in app distribution
• Action to address the impact on competition arising from the revenue share agreement between Apple and Google

Areas where we are still considering prioritisation, subject to international development

• Other potential interventions to improve competition in app distribution
• Action to address the impact on competition arising from the revenue share agreement between Apple and Google