Fortnite returns to iOS App Store after Apple delays Epic Games' resubmission
The popular battle royale game had been absent from Apple's platform since August 2020, when Epic removed it in protest of Apple's commission fees on in-app purchases like V-Bucks.
The legal battle culminated on May 1, 2025, when a judge ruled against Apple, ordering the company to stop imposing commissions on in-app purchases via web links. Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney celebrated the decision, promising Fortnite would return to the App Store within a week.
However, Apple's app review process delayed the game's return. Despite Apple's claim that most app submissions are reviewed within 24 hours, Epic's Fortnite resubmission was blocked for nearly five days. Epic later revealed Fortnite would remain offline worldwide on iOS until Apple allowed the updated version.
The dispute continued publicly until May 19, 2025, when a judge warned Apple to resolve the issue promptly or face further court action. Following this, Fortnite passed Apple's review and was reinstated on the US iOS App Store.
The latest Fortnite update encourages players to purchase V-Bucks directly through Epic Games rather than Apple, offering 20% back in Epic Rewards credits for in-app purchases. This shift marks a significant win for Epic in its ongoing battle over app store commissions and developer control.
With Fortnite's return, iOS players can once again access the game and its latest seasonal content after nearly five years of absence. The resolution also signals potential changes in app store policies regarding in-app purchases and developer rights.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Samsung Elec signs chip supply deal with Tesla, sources say
SEOUL: Samsung Electronics has signed a deal to supply chips to Tesla Inc, two people briefed about the matter told Reuters on Monday, in a significant boost to the South Korean tech giant's loss-making contract manufacturing business. On Saturday, Samsung announced a $16.5 billion chip supply deal with a major global company, without naming the client. It said the customer had requested confidentiality about the details of the deal, which will run through the end of 2033. The deal comes as Samsung faces mounting pressure in the race to produce artificial intelligence chips, where it trails rivals such as TSMC and SK Hynix. This lag has weighed heavily on its profits and share price. Samsung, the world's top memory chip maker, also makes logic chips designed by customers through its foundry business. Pak Yuak, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities, said the latest deal would help reduce losses at Samsung's foundry business, which he estimated exceeded more than 5 trillion won ($3.63 billion) in the first half of the year. Analysts say Samsung had struggled with the defection of key clients to TSMC for advanced chips. TSMC counts Apple, Nvidia and Qualcomm among its customers. The deal with Tesla comes as South Korea is seeking U.S. partnerships in chips and shipbuilding amid last-ditch efforts to reach a trade deal to eliminate or cut potential 25% U.S. tariffs. It is not clear how the order would affect Samsung's plan to start production at its new factory in Texas, which has been delayed as it had struggled to win major customers. Samsung is grappling to boost production yields of its latest 2-nanometer technology, and the order is unlikely to involve the cutting-edge tech, Lee Min-hee, an analyst at BNK Investment & Securities, said. Samsung has been losing market share to TSMC in contract manufacturing, underscoring technological challenges the firm faces in mastering advanced chip manufacturing to attract clients like Apple and Nvidia, analysts said.
Express Tribune
19 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Tea app data breach exposes 72,000 user images after 4chan users leak content
Tea, a dating safety app where women anonymously review men they've dated, confirmed a major data breach on Friday that compromised tens of thousands of user images. According to the company, hackers accessed 72,000 images, including 13,000 selfies and photo IDs submitted for identity verification, as well as 59,000 images from user posts, comments, and direct messages. Tea clarified that no email addresses or phone numbers were exposed and said the breach only affected users who signed up before February 2024. 'We have engaged third-party cybersecurity experts and are working around the clock to secure our systems,' the company said. 'At this time, we have implemented additional security measures and have fixed the data issue.' The breach was first reported by 404 Media, which noted that users on the online forum 4chan claimed to be sharing personal images and data from Tea after discovering an exposed database. The breach coincides with a surge in Tea's popularity. As of Saturday morning, the app remained the top-ranked free app in Apple's App Store, highlighting growing public interest—and concern—around apps handling sensitive user content. Tea's rapid rise and sudden exposure underline the vulnerabilities facing niche social platforms, particularly those that depend on user-submitted materials for identity checks and community content. While the company has responded quickly, it has not yet indicated whether affected users will be individually notified or compensated. As Tea works to contain the fallout, questions remain about how emerging platforms can protect sensitive data amid viral success.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Viral women-only app 'Tea' hits 1 million downloads amid privacy concerns over anonymous posting
The women-only Tea app has reached one million downloads and topped the App Store lifestyle chart, gaining rapid popularity for its bold premise. Marketed as a dating safety tool, Tea allows women to post photos of men they're dating to request 'tea', or gossip, about them from other users. Founder Sean Cook created the app after his mother was catfished online. The platform includes features like reverse image search, phone number lookups, and public records checks to verify identities. Tea also includes the 'Tea Party Group Chat,' where women anonymously share experiences and rate past partners. Tea is restricted to verified female users and employs AI moderation technology to detect and remove harmful content. Screenshot prevention and a 'green flag' feature aim to protect privacy while encouraging safer dating. Supporters say the app gives women more control in a digital dating environment that often lacks transparency. Still, concerns are growing about the app's potential for misuse. Legal experts warn that posting photos and accusations without consent may qualify as defamation. 'Truth is an absolute defence for a defamation claim; you can't just sue someone because your feelings are hurt,' attorney William Barnwell told Fox 2. Cybersecurity expert Jake Moore said the app's anonymous structure could 'easily be used to spread unverified accusations' or even serve as 'a revenge tool.' Some Reddit users claiming to be affected men have asked for their images to be taken down. With regulations like GDPR in the EU, the app's future expansion may face legal obstacles. While its intentions are protective, users are advised to proceed cautiously.
