In Brazil, Fortnite has returned to iPhones via the Epic Games Store, after the company revealed users can now access its store directly from the Epic Games site. This comeback comes as Epic challenges Apple's dominance in iOS app distribution.
Epic argued that Apple is forcing users to complete nine steps to install the Epic Games Store. The process includes warnings discouraging downloads outside the App Store. Epic claims these steps aim to turn users away from alternative stores and reduce competition.
In the EU, Apple cut the installation process from 15 to 6 steps last year under regulatory pressure. This improvement saw a 60% drop in users failing to install the Epic Games Store, as noted by Epic. Yet in Brazil, Apple has increased steps again, a strategy Epic says is aimed at 'blocking competition.'
Apple's 5% commission fee on digital goods sold through third-party stores also drew criticism from Epic. Due to this fee, Epic is currently only listing its own games via the Brazilian store. Games like Fortnite and Rocket League Sideswipe are now available.
To attract users, Brazilian customers can earn 20% back in Epic Rewards when buying Fortnite through the Epic Games Store. This perk isn't found in the App Store version of the game in Brazil.
Epic has alerted Brazilian regulators that Apple's restrictions are damaging competition in the iOS app marketplace. In June, Apple updated its App Store guidelines to comply with Brazil's laws requiring support for alternative app stores.
In a related development, Google and Epic have dropped a joint bid to change a court ruling that compels Google to support third-party app stores on Android. Google must now follow a permanent court decision from October 2024 requiring it to permit alternative app stores on Android devices.