Work on the iOS Epic Games Store can continue as Apple restores Epic’s developer account

Despite the looming possibility of another major legal battle between Apple and Epic Games, Apple has ultimately backed down. Today, Epic revealed that Apple has reinstated their developer account for Epic Games Sweden, allowing them to resume their work on the iOS version of the Epic Games Store in order to prepare for its launch in the European Union.

Prior to this, Epic Games had revealed its intention to release an iOS version of the Epic Games Store in Europe, in response to the Digital Service Act being passed by the European Union. As a result of this act, Apple was compelled to permit third-party app stores on its iOS devices.

Epic’s Swedish subsidiary was granted an Apple developer account to establish and operate the iOS Epic Games Store. However, Epic recently revealed that Apple had revoked the developer account from the Swedish studio. This action by Apple was supposedly due to Epic and its CEO Tim Sweeney’s public disapproval of Apple’s handling of the DSA on its devices.

Towards the end of the week, the European Commission, which serves as the regulatory body for the EU, officially announced that it had requested further information from Apple regarding the ongoing dispute. In addition, the Commission stated that it was currently assessing whether Apple’s actions were in compliance with the DSA (Digital Services Act).

The DMA went through its first major challenge with Apple banning Epic Games Sweden from competing with the App Store, and the DMA just had its first major victory. Following a swift inquiry by the European Commission, Apple notified the Commission and Epic that it would relent…

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) March 8, 2024

The potential for a new investigation seemed to have influenced Apple’s decision to reinstate Epic Games Sweden’s developer account. Tim Sweeney, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), announced that this was a significant victory for European rule of law, the European Commission, and the freedom of developers worldwide to express their views.

Epic intends to release its iOS store in Europe by the end of 2024 and also re-introduce Fortnite for players in the EU within this year.