On August 12, 2025, a landmark decision by the Australian Federal Court sent waves through the global tech and gaming industries. After a years-long legal battle, Epic Games, the creator of the blockbuster hit Fortnite, secured a partial victory against Apple and Google, two of the world’s most powerful tech giants. The ruling found that both companies had breached Australian competition laws by misusing their market power, a judgment that could reshape how digital marketplaces operate in Australia—and perhaps beyond.
The heart of the conflict dates back to August 2020, when Epic Games introduced a direct payment option in Fortnite on iOS and Android platforms. This move was designed to bypass the 30% commission that Apple and Google charged on all in-app purchases. Their response was swift and severe: Fortnite was promptly removed from both the App Store and Google Play Store. While the game eventually returned to Android, its absence from iOS devices in Australia stretched on for five years, leaving millions of fans in limbo.
Epic Games didn’t take the ban lying down. The company, led by CEO Tim Sweeney, launched a series of antitrust lawsuits against Apple and Google in several countries, arguing that the tech giants’ app store policies stifled competition and forced developers to pay exorbitant fees. According to The Guardian, Sweeney’s campaign targeted not just Australia, but also courts in the United States and the United Kingdom, alleging that Apple and Google’s dominance of their respective app stores amounted to an abuse of power.
The Australian Federal Court’s decision, delivered by Justice Jonathan Beach, validated many of Epic’s claims. The court found that Apple and Google’s control over app distribution and in-app payments limited competition, and that their contractual and technological restrictions pressured developers to sell their products exclusively through the official app stores. These practices, the court concluded, substantially lessened competition and violated Australian law. Justice Beach specifically condemned the companies’ tactics of banning alternative payment systems and prohibiting the sideloading of applications on iOS devices.
Epic Games celebrated the ruling as a major win for both developers and consumers. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the company announced, "The Epic Games Store and Fortnite will come to iOS in Australia! This is a WIN for developers and consumers in Australia!" CEO Tim Sweeney echoed this sentiment, declaring, "Victory in the Australian antitrust proceedings of Epic v Apple and Epic v Google! Fortnite will return to the Land Down Under through Epic Games Store at a date to be determined." The company also noted the sheer scale of the case, stating, "There are 2,000+ pages of findings that we’ll need to dig into to fully understand the details."
The ruling means that, after a five-year absence, Australian iOS users will soon be able to download Fortnite and access the Epic Games Store directly on their devices. While an exact return date has not yet been announced, the implications are already clear: developers will have more choices for distributing their apps, and consumers will have more ways to access their favorite games and services.
For Apple and Google, the decision is a significant setback, though not a total loss. The court rejected some of Epic’s claims, including allegations of unconscionable conduct under Australian law. Both companies were quick to point out these partial victories. Apple stated, "We welcome the Australian court’s rejection of some of Epic’s claims, however, we strongly disagree with the Court’s ruling on others." Apple also maintained that it faces "fierce competition in every market where we operate." Google, for its part, said, "We disagree with the court’s characterisation of our billing policies and practices, as well as its findings regarding some of our historical partnerships, which were all shaped in a fiercely competitive mobile landscape on behalf of users and developers." Both companies indicated they may appeal the ruling, and the possibility of further legal wrangling looms.
The court’s full judgment, spanning more than 2,000 pages, has not yet been released to the public. Instead, Justice Beach provided a detailed oral summary during a 90-minute hearing. According to AP, separate written judgments—952 pages for the Apple case and 914 pages for the Google case—are expected to be published soon. Lawyers for both sides are set to return to court at a later date to debate what compensation, if any, Epic Games is entitled to receive as a result of the ruling.
For Epic Games, the victory is the latest chapter in a global crusade to break open the app store duopoly. The company has already seen some success elsewhere: Fortnite returned to the App Store in the United States two months ago, is now available in the European Union via the Epic Games Store on iOS, and is set to return to Japan later in 2025. With around 650 million registered Fortnite players worldwide and 1.3 million playing daily, the stakes are enormous—not just for Epic, but for the entire app economy.
The ruling also shines a light on the broader debate over the power of digital platforms. Critics of Apple and Google argue that their control over app distribution gives them an unfair advantage, allowing them to dictate terms to developers and extract hefty fees. Supporters, meanwhile, point out that these companies have invested heavily in building secure, user-friendly ecosystems that benefit both consumers and developers. As MacDailyNews put it, "Apple incurs costs to store, review, organize, surface, and distribute apps to over one billion users." The question of how to balance innovation, competition, and consumer protection remains contentious—and unresolved.
What’s next? While Epic Games and its supporters are hailing the Australian court’s decision as a turning point, the battle is far from over. Apple and Google may appeal, and the final outcome could hinge on future court decisions or even legislative changes. For now, though, Australian gamers can look forward to the return of Fortnite and the arrival of new choices in the app marketplace—a rare win for the little guy in an industry dominated by tech titans.
The return of Fortnite to iOS in Australia marks more than just the end of a five-year exile; it signals a new era of competition and consumer choice in the digital age.
