How to play Fortnite on iPhone and iOS

Josh Taylor
Fortnite on an iPhone Chapter 4 Season OG

There are plenty of ways you can play Fortnite on iPhone and all of your iOS devices in 2024, so here’s every method you can use to access the game on mobile.

After a long legal dispute, Fortnite has finally returned to Android and iOS platforms. However, at the time of writing, the latter is only available in the EU region.

That said, for a limited time, players can get a free Katalina skin and other rewards by completing missions via the Fortnite mobile app.

So, if you’re keen on grabbing this skin or just want to play the game on the go, make sure you know how to play Fortnite on iOS and iPhone.

Why is Fortnite not available on iOS?

Fortnite Epic Games Store message you receive that doesn't let you install Fortnite if you're not in the European Union.
Fortnite can’t be downloaded by users outside of the European Union.

If you live in the European Union (EU), Fortnite is available through the mobile Epic Games Store on iOS, which you can download via the game’s website. If you don’t live in the EU, Apple has blocked your access to install Fortnite on your iPhone.

Fortnite is not officially available on iOS globally due to the ongoing legal dispute between Epic Games and Apple. This conflict began in 2020 when Epic introduced a direct payment option in the app, violating Apple’s App Store policies and resulting in the game’s removal from the App Store.

However, if you live in Europe, Fortnite is available for download on iOS devices through the Epic Games Store. This became possible after a new law was implemented, the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires Apple to allow alternative app stores. This has let players in the Europe access Fortnite without needing Apple’s App Store.

This workaround is limited to the EU, and players elsewhere remain unable to officially access or update Fortnite on iOS devices until the legal issues between Apple and Epic Games are resolved.

How to play Fortnite on iPhone or iPad

Here are all the ways to play Fortnite on your iOS device. Each method is covered in detail further below, with everything you need and a complete step-by-step guide on how to play:

  1. Epic Games Store
  2. Amazon Luna
  3. GeForce Now
  4. Xbox Cloud Gaming (XCloud)

Epic Games Store

A screenshot featuring Fortnite on a phone screen.
Fortnite players can now play the game on iOS and earn free rewards.

What you’ll need

  1. iOS device in the EU – An iPhone or iPad running a compatible iOS version located within the European Union.
  2. Epic Games Account – It’s recommended to have an Epic Games account to sync your progress across devices.
  3. Safari browser – Required to download the Epic Games Store.
  4. Stable Internet connection – For downloading and smooth gameplay

Thanks to EU regulations, players in the EU can still download Fortnite on iOS devices, even though it was removed from the App Store. To do this, you must use Safari to access the Epic Games website and download the Epic Games Store.

Step-by-step guide

Follow the steps below to download and install the game on your device:

1. Open Safari on your iOS device

  • Launch the Safari browser, as it’s the only browser allowed to download the Epic Games Store on iOS.
  • Go to the official Epic Games Store download page.

2. Download Epic Games Store app

Fortnite Epic Games Store app install sequence.
You can install Fortnite via the Epic Games Store if you are in Europe.
  • Select Install on iOS button to install the Epic Games Store.
  • Press OK when the Marketplace Installation message appears
  • Go to Settings
  • Select Allow Marketplace from Epic Games Inc. option
  • Select Allow button to confirm.
  • Return to Safari browser
  • Press Install button
  • Select Install App Marketplace when the iOS pop-up message shows to confirm.

3. Install Fortnite

  • Once installed, open the Epic Games Store app.
  • Select Fortnite
  • Press the Install button
  • Select Install App when the iOS pop-up message shows to confirm.

4. Launch and play Fortnite:

  • Once installed, open Fortnite from your home screen.
  • Log in with your Epic Games account or choose to create an account.
  • You can then play Fortnite as normal.

And just like that, once successfully installed, you’ll be able to play Fortnite on your iOS device. Alternatively, iPhone users in the EU can also opt to install Fortnite via the Altstore Pal. 

Amazon Luna

Screenshot of Fortnite being played on Amazon Luna.
Fortnite being played on Amazon Luna.

What you’ll need

  1. Amazon Prime or Luna+ subscription – Ensure you have an active Amazon Prime or Luna+ membership on your Amazon account.
  2. Epic Games Account – A valid Epic Games account (optional but recommended so you can link and play using your normal Fortnite account).
  3. Safari browser – Amazon Luna only works through Safari on iOS.
  4. Stable Internet connection – A reliable and fast internet connection for smooth gameplay.

Step-by-step guide

To play Fortnite on iPhone or iOS devices using Amazon Luna, follow the steps below:

1. Access Amazon Luna via Safari

  • Open Safari on your iPhone.
  • Go to the Amazon Luna website.
  • Log in using your Amazon login details.

2. Access Fortnite

  • Search for Fortnite on the Luna homepage.
  • Choose Fortnite.
  • Select Play Now button.

3. Set up to play in Safari

Screenshots of Amazon Luna Safari app setup and adding the app to the iPhone home screen.
Adding Amazon Luna as an app to your iOS device.
  • After you click the Play Now button you will be prompted to setup Amazon Luna for your Safari browser.
  • Tap the share button on the Safari tool bar.
  • Swipe up and select Add to Home Screen from the menu.
  • Tap Add to confirm.

4. Sign in to your Epic Games account

  • Select Sign in to Epic Games or Create a free Epic Games account to create one.
  • Log into your Epic Games account to link your account to Luna.

5. Launch Fortnite

  • After logging in to your Epic Games account Fortnite will automatically launch.
  • You can then play Fortnite as normal as you would on any other device.

GeForce Now

Screenshot of Fortnite being played by streaming on GeForce Now platform.
Fortnite being played on GeForce Now.

What you’ll need

  1. GeForce Now Account – Ensure you have a GeForce Now account.
  2. Epic Games Account – A valid Epic Games account (optional but recommended so you can link and play using your normal Fortnite account).
  3. Safari browser – Required to access GeForce NOW and play Fortnite on iOS.
  4. Stable Internet connection – Since you’re streaming the game, a strong and stable internet connection is essential for a smooth experience.

Step-by-step guide

To start playing Fortnite on GeForce Now, follow the steps below to start playing the game on iOS devices:

1. Access GeForce Now

  • Open Safari on your iPhone.
  • Go to the GeForce Now website.

2. Sign in or create GeForce Now account

  • Tap the Sign In or Join Now button.
  • Log in with your GeForce Now account details or create an account.
    • If you create an account you can choose one of three options: Free, Premium, and Ultimate. Free limits you to a 1-hour play session, Premium gives you a 6-hour play session, and Ultimate grants 8-hour play sessions per day.

3. Set up to play in Safari

iPhone screenshots of the GeForce Now setup sequence and the app showing on the home screen of the iOS device.
Setting up GeForce Now app on iPhone.
  • After you sign in or log in you will be taken to the Set up to play page.
  • Tap the share button on the Safari tool bar.
  • Swipe up and select Add to Home Screen from the menu.
  • Select Add to confirm.

4. Access Fortnite

  • Open the GeForce Now app from your iOS device’s home screen.
  • Log back into your account.
  • Search and select Fortnite.
  • Click the Play button.

5. Sign in to your Epic Games account

  • Select Sign in to Epic Games or Create a free Epic Games account to create one.
  • Log in to your Epic account.

6. Launch Fortnite

  • It will then start Looking for the next available Rig in a queue which will display how many people are in the queue ahead of you.
  • Once the queue has ended after a few minutes it will stat Your Gaming Rig is Ready!
  • Select Let’s Go button to launch Fortnite.
  • Fortnite will then launch on your device.
  • You can then play Fortnite as normal.

Although this method is more complex than with Luna, this iOS method allows you to stream Fortnite for free.

Remember the free subscription to GeForce Now will only allow you to play the game for 1 hour at max. If you want to play longer, you’ll have to upgrade to one of the premium subscriptions mentioned above.

Xbox Cloud Gaming (XCloud)

Xbox Cloud Gaming screenshot streaming Fortnite.
Xbox’s Cloud Streaming service grants iOS users easy access to play Fortnite.

What you’ll need

  1. Microsoft Account – You need a Microsoft account to access Xbox Cloud Gaming.
  2. Epic Games Account – Optional but highly recommended for linking your existing Fortnite profile.
  3. Safari browser – Cloud gaming through Xbox is accessed via Safari on iOS.
  4. Stable Internet connection – A strong and reliable internet connection is essential for smooth gameplay.

Xbox Cloud Gaming (formerly known as XCloud) allows you to play Fortnite on your iPhone or iPad through cloud streaming.

Step-by-step guide

To start playing Fortnite on Xbox Cloud Gaming, follow the steps below to start playing the game on iOS devices:

1. Access Xbox Cloud Gaming

2. Sign in or create Microsoft account

  • Tap ‘Sign In’ button.
  • Log in with your Microsoft account details or create an account then sign in.

3. Access Fortnite

Screenshots of setting up the Xbox Cloud Gaming in Safari and installing the app to the iPhone's home screen.
Find Fortnite on the Xbox Cloud Gaming app and setup the app on your home screen.
  • After signing in, search for Fortnite using the search bar or find it in the available game list.
  • Click the Get ready to play button.

4. Set up to play in Safari

  • After you click the Get ready to play button you will be prompted to setup Xbox Cloud Gaming for your Safari browser.
  • Tap the share button on the Safari tool bar.
  • Swipe up and select Add to Home Screen from the menu.
  • Choose Add to confirm.

5. Re-access Fortnite

Screenshots of the Xbox Cloud Gaming app in the iPhone home screen and Fortnite in the app.
Once you’ve installed the app you start to play Fortnite via the Xbox Cloud Gaming app.
  • Open the Xbox Cloud Gaming app from your iOS device’s home screen.
  • Search for Fortnite again using the search bar or find it in the available game list.
  • Select the Play button.

6. Sign in to your Epic Games account

  • Select Sign in to Epic Games or Create a free Epic Games account to create one.
  • Log in to your Epic account.

7. Launch Fortnite

  • After logging in to your Epic Games account Fortnite will automatically launch.
  • You can then play Fortnite as normal as you would on any other device.

After logging in, the game can be played on an iPhone using touch controls or a gamepad through Bluetooth. You can access the eight dots on the left side of your screen anytime to bring up the Xbox menu to quit the game.

That’s how you can play Fortnite on iPhone or iOS devices. For more on the battle royale, check out the rarest skins, the best skins, if there are free V-bucks codes, every collab & crossover, and all NPC character locations.