Fortnite has recently gained the heady passion of many players. Known for the popular royale game created by Epic Games, players are enchanted by its unique building mechanics, vibrant graphics, and action-packed gameplay.
But you might also have heard of the dispute between Apple and Epic Games. Except for EU iOS players, iOS players outside the EU suffer from strict geo-blocks. This post aims to tell you how to play Fortnite on an iPhone for free, considering both EU iOS players and non-EU ones.
Background: Fortnite’s Payment Issues
As a player of Fortnite, you might wonder why you can’t download Fortnite from the Apple App Store. After all, this is a frustrating hit. Simply put, Epic Games and Apple have encountered a difference in Fortnite’s payment system since 2020. Worse, that triggered a legal dispute.
Given the security, Apple eventually removed Fortnite from the Apple Store. This means you can’t download Fortnite directly like other apples, and Epic Games hasn’t worked it out completely so far.
Fortunately, Epic Games claims that it has been dedicated to working on this issue. Until now, EU iOS players can download the Epic Games Store through the official download websites. And the players outside EU? There are still ways to play Fortnite on your iPhone for free. Check the following approaches.

Tip:
EU members: 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. Check if you are in these countries.
How to Play Fortnite on iPhone for Free?
For iOS players in the EU, it’s easier to play Fortnite on iPhone. You can download Epic Game Store through the official download websites and then get Fortnite. For all iPhone users (especially for non-EU iOS players), you can gain Fortnite through the Cloud gaming method.
For EU-Only Players: via the Epic Game Store
If you are an EU resident or travel to EU areas, you can play Fortnite on your iPhone for free by downloading Epic Game Store through the official download websites or the AltStore PAL. And then, get Fortnite on the Epic Game store. The following are detailed steps to play Fortnite on iPhone for EU iOS players.
Download the Epic Game Store in the EU
Located in the EU, you can download the Epic Game Store through the official download websites or the AltStore PAL. This is only EU players available.
Download the Epic Game Store Through the Official Download Website
Step 1. Open Safari browser on your iPhone.
Step 2. Input (https://www.fortnite.com/download) into the URL bar.
Step 3. Push the “install on iOS” button and you’ll see a pop-up window about app installation settings.
Step 4. Press “OK” and open up “Settings” app.
Step 5. In the “Settings” lists, a notification will show under your profile information, saying “Allow Marketplace from Epic Games”.
Step 6. Click on that, choose “Allow”, and go back to your Safari.
Step 7. Press “Install”. You’ll get another iOS pop-up window asking if you want to install the Epic Games Store.
Step 8. Tap “Install App Marketplace”. You have successfully downloaded the Epic Game Store.

Note: You can also download the Epic Game Store from this website (https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/mobile). Using the Brave browser is officially recommended.
Download the Epic Game Store via the AltStore PAL
- Download the AltStore first on Safari.
- After installing the AltStore, download and install the Epic Game Store.
You should keep in mind that AltStore is also EU-only. Make sure you are in an EU country and your iPhone is on iOS 17.4+ OR an iPad on iPadOS 18+. This is more complicated than the former one.
Play Fortnite on iPhone for Free in the EU
Now that you have installed the Epic Game Store on your iPhone, you can play Fortnite on it right now.
Step 1. Launch the Epic Games Store and click “Accept” to enter the games page.
Step 2. Find “Fortnite” on the games page and tap on the “Install” button.
Step 3. Click “Install App” when the permission-asking window pops up.
Step 4. After installing, open the Fortnite app and wait for finishing download.
Step 5. All is done and enjoy Fortnite.
For Non-EU Players (All iPhone Users): via Cloud Gaming
For players outside the EU, Fortnite is accessible on iPhone via cloud gaming services. There are three cloud gaming services for playing Fortnite.
Choose a Cloud Gaming Service on Safari Outside EU
Select a cloud gaming platform that supports Fortnite and works with iOS devices.
Service 1: Xbox Cloud Gaming
Cost: Free to play Fortnite. (A Microsoft account is required.)
Control: Touch controls or use a supported controller.
- Open Safari on your iPhone.
- Navigate to the Xbox Cloud Gaming website.
- Log in or create a Microsoft account.
- Launch Fortnite directly from the cloud.
Service 2: NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Cost: Free membership is available; premium tiers enhance performance.
Controls: Touch controls or a controller.
- Open Safari and go to the GeForce NOW website.
- Sign up or log in with a GeForce NOW account.
- Link your Epic Games account to play Fortnite.
- Launch Fortnite from the cloud interface.
Service 3: Amazon Luna
Cost: Free for Amazon Prime members; Luna+ subscription available with a free trial.
Controls: Touch controls or a controller.
- Open Safari on your iPhone.
- Go to the Amazon Luna website.
- Log in with your Amazon Prime or Luna+ account.
- Play Fortnite directly via the cloud.
Play Fortnite on iPhone for Free Outside EU
Among the above three cloud gaming services, Xbox cloud gaming is the easiest one. Nevertheless, if you are a subscriber of GeForce NOW or Amazon Prime, choose them. The following are steps to play Fortnite on iPhone outside the EU via cloud gaming. Take Xbox Cloud Gaming as an example.
Step 1. Open Safari and navigate to the Xbox website.
Step 2. Tap the Share button (a square with an arrow pointing up) and select “Add to Home Screen”. (This makes you access the Xbox Cloud Gaming like a native app from your home screen.)
Step 3. Launch the Xbox Cloud Gaming from your browser or home screen.
Step 4. Log in to your Xbox Cloud Gaming account and start playing Fortnite with either touch controls or a controller.
If you are a non-EU resident but still want to download the Epic Games Store to play Fortnite, it’s understandable and you can use a VPN (such as LightningX VPN) to get an EU IP address. This is the fastest way to unblock the strict geo-restriction.
VPN can hide your real IP address with a virtual one. This means you can choose an EU server, for example, the Paris server in France, to make the internet identify you are in the EU. Hence, you can play Fortnite on your iPhone via the Epic Games Store though you are not physically in the EU.

Tip:
LightningX VPN is also the best VPN for gaming. It has ultra speed and stable internet connections. There are no bandwidth limits, no lags, or data caps. It is optimal for playing Fortnite. You can use it on your iPhone and your iPad. Still, there is a free trial, leaving time for you to use the Premium feature. Download LightningX VPN for playing Fortnite on your iPhone!
Important Requirements: How to Play Fortnite on iPhone
There are some requirements about available platforms and regions whether you are in the EU or outside.
The Available Platforms of the Epic Games Store
The Epic Games Store is only available on iPhones in the European Union, including iPad. The good news is that the Epic Games Store said the launch is expected to be on iPhones and iPads in the UK and Japan in 2025.
The Supported Devices of the Epic Games Store
The Epic Games Store mobile app requires devices with high functionality and newer iOS. Please make sure your iPhone is running iOS 17.6 or later.
Fortnite is compatible with iPhones with at least 4GB of RAM and running iOS 17.6 or later. iPhone 11 or later models with iOS 17.6 or later are supported, except for the iPhone SE 2nd Generation [aka iPhone SE (2020)] with 3GB of RAM.
Required Devices Version of Playing Fortnite
Fortnite requires high graphics and quick responsiveness. Make sure your iPhone has at least 4GB of RAM and is running iOS 17.6 or newer. If your iPhone is iPhone 11 but with iOS 17.6 or higher, it works, except for the iPhone SE 2nd Generation [aka iPhone SE (2020)] with 3GB of RAM.
Conclusion
Playing Fortnite on your iPhone is still possible, even though it’s no longer available on the App Store. If you are in the EU, you can download the official Epic Games Store to play Fortnite. If you are outside the EU, clouding gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, Amazon Luna, or GeForce NOW, also assist you to play Fortnite on iPhone for free without any hassle. Learn the game requirements carefully before action. Happy gaming!