Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Apple accepted Epic Games’ previously rejected Epic Games Store submission for notarization in the European Union on July 5, 2024, after Epic publicly accused Apple of obstructing its planned launch. That cleared an important hurdle—but it was not approval to list the store in Apple’s App Store, and it did not immediately bring Fortnite back to iPhone.
What happened on July 5, 2024
Epic said Apple had rejected its submission for EU notarization twice. According to Epic, Apple objected that the store’s “Install” button resembled Apple’s “Get” button and that its “In-app purchases” wording resembled Apple’s “In-App Purchases” label. Epic called the objections arbitrary, said it had referred the matter to the European Commission, and argued that the rejection conflicted with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Contemporaneous reporting on the dispute described Apple’s subsequent acceptance of the same submission later that day.
The sequence is clear; the motive is not. Apple accepted the submission after Epic’s public complaint, but that alone does not establish that public pressure caused the decision. Nor is there a formal finding in the cited material that this particular rejection violated the DMA. The violation claim was Epic’s allegation.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Notarization is not an App Store listing
The headline’s “EU App Store” shorthand can be misleading. Epic was preparing a competing app marketplace for alternative distribution—not asking Apple to put its store in Apple’s own App Store catalog.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Apple describes notarization as a baseline review for security, privacy and device integrity. For eligible alternative distribution in the EU, developers submit app versions for review under Apple’s Notarization Review Guidelines. Apple says it can block an app from launching and revoke new installations if it later identifies known malware. Apple’s EU distribution documentation and its notarization submission guide explain the process.
- App Review is the review associated with distributing an app through Apple’s App Store.
- Notarization is the baseline review for apps distributed through eligible alternative channels in the EU.
- Marketplace authorization is a separate process for an operator seeking to run an alternative app marketplace.
So Apple’s acceptance meant that the submitted marketplace app could proceed through the notarization process. It did not mean the store was an Apple App Store product, that every future version was approved, or that the store was immediately available to users.
Rank #2
- 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1320x2868px at 460ppi, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM), 4685mAh Battery
- 1TB, 8GB RAM, Apple A18 Pro (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.05 GHz + 4x2.42 GHz), Apple GPU 6-core, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.3
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 12MP, f/2.8 (periscope telephoto) 5x optical zoom + 48MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth), Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9 (wide)
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79/258/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
A reversal of one rejection, not an end to the dispute
Epic said the current submission had been “un-rejected” and that development was back on track. Apple reportedly told media outlets that the approval was conditional or temporary pending changes to certain interface elements in a future version. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney disputed that approach, arguing that notarization was being used to dictate design choices. Those accounts describe a disagreement between the companies; the available reporting does not establish an uncontested formal condition for every later version.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsEpic also alleged delays involving TestFlight, Apple’s beta-testing service. Those claims, like its account of Apple’s motives, should be understood as Epic’s allegations rather than independently established findings. The immediate blockage had eased, but questions about future reviews, interface requirements and launch timing remained.
Rank #3
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
Why the DMA mattered
The DMA requires designated gatekeepers to allow installation and effective use of third-party software applications and app stores using or interoperating with their operating systems. That created a legal opening for alternative marketplaces on Apple devices in the EU. It did not eliminate Apple’s security procedures or automatically require approval of every submission without review.
Epic had previously invoked Article 6(4) of the DMA in a separate dispute over Apple’s termination of its developer account. Epic’s account of that dispute sets out its interpretation of the law. The July 2024 submission fight became a high-profile test of how Apple’s review process would operate alongside the DMA, not a final legal resolution of the companies’ broader conflict.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
Fortnite did not return immediately
After the acceptance, Epic said it expected to launch the store and Fortnite within the next couple of months, subject to further obstacles. The actual launch came on August 16, 2024. Epic brought the Epic Games Store to iPhone and iPad in the EU with Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe and Fall Guys. Epic’s launch announcement confirms the date and initial lineup.
The launch was an outcome enabled by the notarization process, not an instant consequence of the July decision. At the time, Epic’s iOS store and Fortnite remained unavailable to users outside the EU.
Best Value
- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. ProMotion technology. Always-On display. Titanium with textured matte glass back. Action button
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A17 Pro chip with 6-core GPU
- Pro camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide| Telephoto. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. Up to 10x optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 29 hours video playback. USB-C, Supports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers. Face ID
Availability now: region, device and OS matter
As of August 2026, Epic’s support documentation says its iOS store is available in the European Union and Japan. Japan availability is limited to iPhone; EU alternative distribution covers iPhone and iPad under Apple’s stated platform requirements. Apple lists iOS 17.4 or later for EU alternative distribution on iPhone and iPadOS 18 or later on iPad. Epic’s current availability guidance and Apple’s requirements are the practical references before attempting installation.
Epic says users who leave the EU can continue using apps they have already installed for up to 30 days, but cannot install new Epic Games Store apps while outside the EU. Do not treat that grace period as a promise of continued ability to install, update or access every feature indefinitely. Eligibility and the device’s region context affect what users can do.
Installing an alternative marketplace is also different from downloading an app in the familiar App Store flow: users must authorize the marketplace and move through system prompts. Apple says it updated the EU installation experience beginning with iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6. Epic later claimed its revised flow cut the steps from 15 to 6 and reduced player drop-off; those numbers are Epic’s own measurements, not independently audited results. Epic’s account of the change reflects its view of the installation experience.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The commercial and regulatory fight continued
Epic’s store launch did not settle disputes about fees, installation friction, marketplace terms or Apple’s control over notarization. In July 2024, Epic said its mobile store would charge 12% for payments processed by Epic and 0% on third-party payments. That was Epic’s announced commercial model, not a guarantee that every game or transaction would qualify for those terms—or that lower store fees would automatically mean lower prices for players. Epic’s mobile-store strategy announcement gives its stated terms.
Epic later continued to criticize Apple’s alternative-distribution rules, including the Core Technology Fee and installation flow, arguing that they made third-party distribution less viable. Apple, meanwhile, maintains its own security and distribution requirements. The July 2024 acceptance therefore matters as a concrete reversal on one submission, but it should not be mistaken for the end of the larger contest over what an open mobile game market in the EU looks like.
Quick Recap
What this means for players
- If you are in the EU: Epic’s store is an alternative marketplace, not an App Store listing. Check current device, operating-system and region requirements before installing.
- If you are in Japan: Epic’s current support page says iPhone is supported; it does not list iPad availability there.
- If you are elsewhere: Do not assume the EU launch made Epic’s iOS store globally available. Epic’s cited guidance lists the EU and Japan.
- If you leave the EU: Epic says installed apps can remain usable for up to 30 days, while new installations are unavailable outside the region.
- For security and choice: Notarization and marketplace authorization add review and system controls, but alternative distribution remains distinct from Apple’s standard App Store channel.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
