Fortnite returned to the U.S. iOS App Store in May 2025. Can it dethrone Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG Mobile through smart App Store Optimisation and strong fan enthusiasm?
Fortnite's imminent return to the U.S. iOS App Store has generated considerable excitement among players, with Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney confirming the game's comeback in mid-May.
In the years since Fortnite's removal, the mobile gaming landscape has evolved, with battle royale titles such as PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Garena Free Fire capturing significant market share on iOS.
Meanwhile, Fortnite's vast fanbase—boasting over 650 million registered users and 110 million monthly active players, including those responsible for 133 million iOS downloads and generating $1.2 billion in revenue—has been eagerly anticipating its return.
This raises a pivotal question: Can Fortnite reclaim its former glory upon re-entering the U.S. iOS App Store?
This article examines the topic from an App Store Optimisation (ASO) perspective to explore the potential outcomes.
Fortnite dominated the U.S. iOS App Store until 2020, amassing 133 million downloads and generating over $1.2 billion in revenue, solidifying its position as a mobile gaming powerhouse.
With a global player base increasing from 200 million in 2018 to an estimated 650 million by 2025, its innovative building mechanics and high-profile collaborations captivated millions.
However, a highly publicised legal dispute between Epic Games and Apple regarding in-app payment policies led to Fortnite's abrupt removal from the App Store, following Epic's attempt to bypass Apple's 30% commission.
👉 Further details on Fortnite’s iOS history
👉 Timeline of Epic vs Apple Legal Dispute
This five-year hiatus disrupted its iOS supremacy, leaving millions of Apple users without access and creating a gap in the battle royale market.
As Fortnite prepares to return, this legacy of success and legal battles sets the stage for its attempt to reclaim its peak.
The 2025 iOS battle royale market is fiercely competitive, with PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Garena Free Fire filling the void left by Fortnite.
With Visibility Scores of 91 for Call of Duty: Mobile and 90 for both PUBG Mobile and Garena Free Fire, these games have captured the spotlight, raising the bar for Fortnite’s return.
User acquisition paints a clear picture: PUBG Mobile leads with 87 million U.S. downloads over the past year, far surpassing Call of Duty: Mobile's 10.5 million and Garena Free Fire's 6.2 million.
(US App Store download trends over the past year – Data source: Foxdata)
ASO underpins this advantage—Call of Duty: Mobile ranks for 39,000 keywords, aided by a "battle royale" subtitle, while PUBG Mobile’s 32,500 and Garena Free Fire’s 20,300 keywords ensure discoverability.
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| Rating | Number of Ratings | Number of Reviews | |
| PUBG Mobile | 4.30/5 | 41,057 | 2,457 |
| Call of Duty: Mobile | 4.67/5 | 38,995 | 4,733 |
| Garena Free Fire | 3.95/5 | 11,387 | 936 |
(From 1 January to 8 May 2025, Data source: Foxdata)
User feedback is vital to ASO success. Call of Duty: Mobile leads with a 4.67 rating and 4,733 reviews in 2025, while PUBG Mobile holds 4.3 with 2,457 reviews. Garena Free Fire trails at 3.95 with 936 reviews, reflecting mixed sentiment that may hinder its ASO performance.
With Fortnite’s 30 million daily active users, its comeback faces fierce ASO competition.
The 2025 iOS battle royale landscape is filled with heavyweights like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Garena Free Fire, each boasting millions of downloads.
So, how can Fortnite carve out its niche and rise once more to the top? Strategic App Store Optimisation is the key, leveraging its immense fanbase and iconic branding to stand out.
To gain visibility, Fortnite should target high-traffic keywords such as "battle royale" or "multiplayer shooter", where Call of Duty: Mobile currently dominates with 39,000 terms.
Including a subtitle like "Fortnite: Battle Royale & Creative" could capture broad U.S. search traffic. Incorporating regional slang or trending terms could enhance its appeal even further.
Visual presentation is crucial on the App Store. Fortnite's bold art style and iconic crossovers, including Marvel heroes, should stand out vividly across its icon and screenshots—matching or surpassing Call of Duty: Mobile’s striking visuals.
A concise video highlighting its building mechanics and battle moments could capture curious players’ attention.
Maintaining player engagement is essential. With 30 million daily active users already on board, Fortnite can strengthen this loyalty with frequent seasons, events, and collaborations.
Encouraging positive user reviews to rival PUBG Mobile’s 4.3 rating, and securing a featured spot on the App Store, would provide a significant ASO advantage.
Fortnite's iOS comeback holds enormous promise, but it’s far from a guaranteed success.
With formidable rivals like Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG Mobile dominating the battle royale genre, Fortnite must execute its strategy flawlessly. Here’s what could propel it to success—and what might hold it back.
Fortnite’s 30 million daily active users present a massive opportunity, eager to return to iOS after years of absence.
Its globally recognised brand, fuelled by collaborations with Marvel and viral emotes, provides instant familiarity.
Pent-up demand from 133 million historic iOS downloads could trigger a surge of new installations, particularly if Epic nails its ASO and captures App Store buzz.
The road to regaining Fortnite's iOS dominance won’t be smooth.
During its five-year hiatus, competitors like Call of Duty: Mobile have built loyal player bases, firmly establishing their presence in the market.
While Fortnite’s return is expected to cause a surge in downloads—thanks to its 133 million previous iOS installs and 30 million daily active players—sustaining long-term engagement will be the real challenge.
On the technical side, feedback from X posts highlights a limitation: older Apple devices with less than 4GB of RAM, including the iPhone XR, iPhone SE (2nd Gen), iPad Mini 5, iPad (6th–9th Gen), and iPad Air 3, will be unable to run Fortnite.
This compatibility restriction could dampen enthusiasm for some fans, potentially reducing reach and affecting App Store ratings—thereby impacting ASO momentum.
Fortnite’s return to iOS this May represents a golden opportunity to reclaim its crown, with its passionate fanbase and trademark energy set to reignite the App Store.
Effective execution—through stunning visuals, strategic keyword optimisation, and timely updates—could spark renewed growth.
However, established rivals such as Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG Mobile won’t yield easily, given their refined gameplay and dedicated communities.
To succeed, Fortnite must deliver a seamless experience—and perhaps earn Apple’s spotlight once more.
If Epic gets it right, Fortnite won’t merely return—it could redefine mobile gaming altogether. The island awaits; will it be another Victory Royale?
👉 Mobile Game Insights: Will Fortnite Mobile Return to the TOP After Apple’s EU Policy Change?
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