The Epic Games Store has made its way to iPhone users in the European Union, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing battle between Epic Games and Apple. This development comes as a result of Apple being compelled to allow third-party app marketplaces in compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. This means that iPhone users in the EU can now access the Epic Games Store and download popular titles like Fortnite and Fall Guys.
The catalog of games available in the iOS Epic Games Store is currently limited, featuring a selection of Epic’s popular titles. However, Epic Games has plans to expand the library over time, with a goal of reaching 100 million mobile downloads by the end of the year. This growth will be driven by game installs across the Epic Games Store on both iOS and Android platforms.
Epic Games has been a vocal advocate for alternative app stores and iOS sideloading, challenging Apple’s control over iOS software distribution. The conflict between Epic Games and Apple came to a head in 2020 when Fortnite was removed from the App Store due to Epic’s attempt to bypass Apple’s In-App Purchase system. This move sparked a legal battle between the two companies that is still ongoing.
Despite the progress made with the EU Digital Markets Act, Epic Games is still pushing for further changes. Currently, Epic Games is required to pay Apple a fee for every install of the Epic Games Store on iOS devices, as well as for each installation of Fortnite. This fee structure, known as the Core Technology Fee, has been a point of contention for Epic and other companies like Spotify. The EU Commission is investigating whether these fees and other terms imposed by Apple are compliant with the Digital Markets Act.
It is important to note that alternative app stores are currently only supported on iPhone devices running iOS 17.4 or later. The capability will be extended to iPad devices with the release of iPadOS 18, allowing iPad users to access the Epic Games Store as well. Epic Games has plans to expand the availability of the Epic Games Store to other countries where it is permitted, with Japan being the next target for a launch in 2025.
Overall, the introduction of the Epic Games Store on iPhone in the EU represents a significant step forward in the ongoing debate over app store policies and competition in the digital marketplace. As Epic Games continues to advocate for greater access and fairer terms for developers, the landscape of app distribution on iOS devices is likely to undergo further changes in the coming years.