The Epic Games Store and Fortnite will be back to IOS in Brazil from July 2025. The decision comes after the Federal Regional Court of the 1st Region (TRF-1) determines that Apple allows third stores within the App Store within 90 days. The measure reverses a previous decision of the Federal District Court, which had rejected the requirements of the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade), the body responsible for overseeing competition in the country.
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Judge Pablo Zuniga Dourado argued that preventing the presence of alternative marketplaces in iOS would create “artificial barriers” that favor Apple improperly. In its defense, the technology giant claimed that change can compromise users' safety and privacy. However, the Court considered that the restriction imposed by the company limits competition and disrespects antitrust rules.
With this, in addition to the Epic Games Store, games like Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe and Fall Guys will be able to return to the Apple ecosystem in Brazil. The deadline established by the court obliges Apple to implement the change by July, ensuring that developers have the freedom to operate without the restriction of the App Store.
Conflict between Apple and Epic Games started in 2020
The clash between Apple and Epic Games is not recent. The dispute began in 2020, when the Fortnite developer was removed from the App Store in the United States. The reason was the attempted EPIC to circumvent the 30% fee charged by Apple on IOS transactions. Thus, to avoid this cost, the company created an alternative payment system, which led to its expulsion from the platform.
Since then, the judicial battle has extended to several countries. In Europe, Epic Games has already been entitled to return to iOS after the approval of the digital market law, which requires more opening in the application market. In Brazil, the TRF-1 decision represents a victory for EPIC and can pave the way for similar changes in other markets.
Epic Games entered into the court ruling and confirmed the return of Fortnite and Epic Games Store to IOS in Brazil. In an X (former Twitter) publication, the company pointed out that the decision strengthens competition, thus giving more options to consumers.
Apple, on the other hand, maintains its position contrary to the release of Terceiras stores. The company claims that change can weaken iOS safety by exposing users to malicious applications. Still, the court decision obliges the company to comply with the measure within the established period.
With this turnaround, Brazil joins the European Union in the flexibility of the rules of the App Store. It remains to be seen how Apple will deal with the new reality and if other countries will follow the same path. For players, the news represents the return of one of the world's most popular games to Apple's ecosystem, ending a long waiting period.
