Epic Games’ Fortnite Returns To Apple’s App Store After 5-Year Ban - 1

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Epic Games’ Fortnite Returns To Apple’s App Store After 5-Year Ban

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

The popular game Fortnite announced its return to the Apple App Store this Tuesday on social media. The game, developed by the American studio Epic Games, had been banned from the app platform since 2020. It will now be available on multiple platforms, including AltStore in the European Union and the company’s online store.

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • Epic Games’ Fortnite returns to Apple’s App Store after a five-year hiatus.
  • The game will be available for download in the U.S. on iPhones and iPads, and in the EU via AltStore and Epic’s online store.
  • Players and experts view this as a win for Epic Games following its long legal battles with tech giants.

In a post shared on the social media platform X, Epic Games, through its Fortnite account, announced that the game will soon be available for download on the App Store.

“Fortnite is BACK on the App Store in the U.S. on iPhones and iPads… and on the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the E.U.!” states the post. “It’ll show up in Search soon!”

Fortnite is BACK on the App Store in the U.S. on iPhones and iPads… and on the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the E.U! It’ll show up in Search soon! Get Fortnite on the App Store in the U.S. ➡️ https://t.co/HQu3pYCXFm pic.twitter.com/w74QPFFkOS — Fortnite (@Fortnite) May 20, 2025

The announcement has been made only days after a federal judge in the United States ruled that Apple violated Epic Games’ injunction from 2021 and ordered the tech giant to stop collecting commissions on external apps and allow developers to offer alternative payment and purchase methods.

According to the BBC , Fortnite had been removed from Apple’s app store in August 2020 after the company launched its own in-app payment system, bypassing the tech giant’s 30% commissions. After this happened, Epic Games initiated a legal battle with Apple after claiming the App Store was supporting a monopoly system.

Epic Games lost the antitrust case in 2021, but had a partial win with the judge’s injunction—the one that Apple ignored until now. Last year, the game developer launched Fortnite for iOS in the European Union through a third party, but still not through the App Store.

Experts and users—the game has 400 million registered players—are celebrating Fortnite’s return and consider this a win for the game company.

“This is a clear win for Epic Games. Epic has effectively forced open a door that Apple and others worked very hard to keep shut,” said Joost van Dreunen, a games business professor at NYU Stern, to the BBC. “The industry has long tiptoed around platform gatekeeping, but this moment signals a shift in the balance. Creators and publishers will now have more leverage to challenge entrenched distribution models.”

Epic Games is also in legal battles with Google and Samsung for anti-competitive practices.

Malware Found in Procolored Printer Software, It Was Distributed For Six Months - 2

Image by Joonas Sild, from Unsplash

Malware Found in Procolored Printer Software, It Was Distributed For Six Months

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

Procolored unknowingly distributed malware-infected printer software for six months before a YouTuber’s review exposed dangerous viruses and triggered cleanup efforts-

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • Procolored distributed malware-infected software for six months via its official site.
  • YouTuber Cameron Coward discovered the malware during a $6,000 printer review.
  • Downloads were removed in May 2025; clean versions are now available.

For six months, printer manufacturer Procolored unknowingly distributed malware-infected software through its official website, as first spotted by cybersecurity analysts G Data .

The issue came to light when Cameron Coward, YouTuber behind Serial Hobbyism, reviewed a $6,000 UV printer and discovered a USB-spreading worm and a Floxif virus on the accompanying flash drive, as reported by G Data.

Procolored initially dismissed the malware alerts as false positives. Concerned, Coward turned to Reddit for help, where an independent malware analyst began a deeper investigation.

The analyst found that all six software downloads on Procolored’s site—hosted on Mega.nz—contained malware, including two dangerous types: XRedRAT, a powerful backdoor, and SnipVex, a clipboard-hijacking virus that also infects .exe files.

“An infection with a virus like Floxif is one of the most severe types of infection that damages system files without possibility of proper repair,” G Data analyst warned. While the backdoor server appears to be offline since February 2024, SnipVex is still capable of damaging files and redirecting cryptocurrency transactions.

Procolored eventually removed the downloads from its website around May 8, 2025, and responded to the findings:

“The software hosted on our website was initially transferred via USB drives. It is possible that a virus was introduced during this process.” “As a precaution, all software has been temporarily removed […] and we are conducting a comprehensive malware scan of every file.” “For the users who have reported related issues, Procolored engineers have already provided individual support and solutions.”

G Data says that the company has since issued clean software versions. Users are advised to check their antivirus settings and, in severe cases, consider reinstalling their operating system.