Fortnite has captured the hearts of millions of gamers worldwide, but if you’re an iPhone or iPad user in the US or Canada, you might find yourself unable to download the game from the App Store. The situation can be frustrating if you want to play this game because Epic Games has re-released Fortnite on iOS only in the EU and Apple has blocked the ability to install Fortnite on iOS and iPadOS devices for non-EU residents. Then how to play Fortnite on iPhone or iPad? Can you download it? Will VPN help play Fortnite on iPhone and iPad?
Here, we’ll explore the current landscape for playing Fortnite on iOS devices and how a VPN for Fortnite might factor into your gaming experience.
What Region is Fortnite Available on iOS?
Fortnite is available worldwide on Android, and on iOS and iPadOS in the European Union (EU), thanks to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Tehn how to play Fortnite on iPhone if you are in the following EU countries?
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
Hopefully, downloading Fortnite on iPhone is quick and easy for EU residents by following these steps:
- Open Safari browser on your iPhone or iPad and search for “Epic Games Store.”
- Tap the “Install on iPhone or iPad” button. A pop-up will inform you that your iPhone isn’t set up to install new marketplaces from the web.
Note: Your iPhone must be running iOS 17.6 or later. - Tap “OK” when the Marketplace Installation message appears because by default, your device does not allow web installation from Epic Games.
- Navigate to Settings on your iPhone .
- Look for a banner that says “Allow Marketplace from Epic Games” and then tap it to select “Allow” and then return to your browser.
- Tap the blue “Install” button and then “Install App Marketplace” by following the on-screen prompts.
- Once completed, the Epic Games Store app will be available on your iPhone! Then all you need to do is to locate the Fortnite app in Epic Games Store and have it on your iPhone.
How to Install Fortnite on iOS outside the EU?
Unfortunately, there is no official support for downloading Fortnite on iOS devices for users outside of the EU. This means that if you’re in regions such as North America, UK, Asia, or elsewhere, you can’t have Fortnite through the App Store.
You might ask, why can’t I download Fortnite on my iOS?
Well. This is because Epic Games’s Fortnite was removed from iOS and Google Play after the company introduced direct payment options to avoid Apple’s and Google’s 30% fees. But this logic is confusing because, honestly, given the size of the EU, it seems like this would lead Epic to incur higher costs on the Core Technology Fee (CTF) compared with the 30%. But anyway, this action led to legal disputes, as Epic argues that the current policies are anti-competitive and restrict consumer choice. The company advocates for open app distribution and alternative payment systems, asserting that third-party payment methods are secure and commonly used in other applications.
While Epic Games is actively pursuing legal challenges around the world to change these industry practices, you can probably expect this to be a long fight until both developers and users benefit, and as of now, there are significant limitations.
Disappointed? Does this mean that if you are not in the EU, you can’t play this game on your iPhone? Of course not! Keep reading and you’ll find how to play Fortnite on iPhone though you can have it through the official App store.
Will VPN Help Non-EU Residents Play Fortnite on iPhone?
You may be wondering, can I just use a VPN because a VPN can change your IP address to somewhere else though you are not in the EU countries.
Not this time! You can’t install Fortnite on your iOS device by changing your IP address and Apple ID’s location to one based in the EU because Apple has updated and implemented an eligibility system to determine a user’s physical location and the corresponding features available to them to follow regulatory changes like the EU’s Digital Markets Act and South Korea’s Telecommunications Business Act.
This system, which started with iOS 16.2 for South Korea, was expanded in iOS 17.4 for the EU. It assesses users’ location using various signals, including GPS coordinates, mobile country codes from nearby cell towers, country identifiers from surrounding Wi-Fi networks, and information from SIM cards and eSIMs. The data collected is cached and combined to estimate the device’s most likely physical location. Additionally, the system determines device eligibility for country-specific features based on factors such as device model family, whether the device is a Chinese-market model, the regulatory country identified by country in the file system, device model number region, the user-specified country in Settings, and the country linked to the Apple ID payment method.
Therefore, simply using a VPN to mask your IP address will not grant access to the game.
How to Play Fortnite on iPhone with Tech Hacks?
Now that you know how Apple determines your physical location, you might be asking, can I hack my iPhone and make it appear as if I’m in the EU? Theoretically, it will work and in fact, there were some users who succeeded in accessing the EU apps outside of the EU. However, how to play Fortnite on iPhone by hacking your iPhone or iPad required an immense amount of jank, including but not limited:
- Erase your iPhone.
- Get a SIM Card from EU countries, for example, Italy.
- Create an Apple (ID/Account) based in EU countries, some of which will require local payment information.
- Manipulate your Wi-Fi specifications to meet the EU standards.
- No cellular connectivity during the whole setup.
- Immediately switch to Airplane Mode once you have completed setting up your iPhone.
As you can see, this involves a combination of VPNs, the risk of violating terms of service, and complicated technical settings. So it’s not a feasible solution for average users and it gimps the practical usability of the device. After all, it’s just a game!
How to Play Fortnite on iPhone by Sideloading?
Some gamers have turned to sideloading Fortnite via third-party applications or unofficial sources and share their experiences on YouTube. Sideloading Fortnite on an iPhone is much easier than manipulating your iPhone GPS locations considering the time and money you cost.
While this may seem like a quick fix, it’s not recommended. It poses significant risks, such as exposing your device to malware, security vulnerabilities, the chance of being taken down by Epic Games, and even more.
Still wondering how to play Fortnite on iPhone via sideloading? Well, if you insist…
Steps include:
- Choose a reliable app signing and installation service for sideloading iOS and tvOS Apps, for example, Signulous and iOS Rocket.
- Upload and sign your own IPA files, or choose IPAs from our extensive library of popular apps.
- Use the configuration profile to register the device and link it to the sideloading app.
- Subscribe to the sideloading app you’ve registered so that you can access their App library.
- On the website of the sideloading app, sign and download the Fortnite app to your iPhone or iPad.
- Run your iPhone in Developer Mode and then start installing Fortnite on your iPhone following on-screen instructions.
How to Play Fortnite on iPhone Through Cloud Gaming?
If you are new to technology or you don’t want to use a random IPA, especially one with cheats embedded in it, can you play Fortnite on your iPhone if you are outside the EU? Of course you can!
How to play Fortnite on iPhone in this case then? The most viable option for playing Fortnite on your iPhone or iPad, especially if you’re outside the EU, is through cloud gaming services. These platforms allow you to play Fortnite without the need for a direct download but streaming. Some popular cloud gaming services include:
- Xbox Cloud Gaming: Offers a robust gaming experience, allowing you to play Fortnite directly through your browser.
- NVIDIA GeForce NOW: A powerful cloud gaming service that supports Fortnite and provides excellent performance.
- Amazon Luna: Another alternative that allows you to access Fortnite through cloud gaming.
All you need to do is:
- Install BearVPN on your iPhone or iPad.
- Select and connect to a server location for fast and protected streaming experience.
- Open your web browser and go to xbox.com/play or other cloud gaming services’ Fortnite resource page on your iPhone or iPad to launch and play Fortnite there.
Using a VPN with these services can enhance your experience by improving connection stability and potentially providing access to servers closer to your location, which can reduce latency and improve gameplay.
Conclusion
While the current situation regarding Fortnite on iOS devices for users outside the EU is restrictive, there are still ways to enjoy the game. Unfortunately, attempts to hack your iPhone or sideload the game pose significant challenges and risks. Instead, the best answer to how to play Fortnite on iPhone is leveraging cloud gaming platforms that offer a safe and effective alternative, with the added benefit of using BearVPN to optimize your gaming experience. Whether you’re battling it out in Fortnite or simply enjoying the experience, these methods can keep your gaming dreams alive.
