Fortnite has made its return to Apple’s App Store… in a way.

      Epic Games

      After being unexpectedly removed from Apple’s App Store in 2020, Epic Games’ Fortnite has made its return.

      It's important to note that it will only be visible for searches conducted on iPhones and iPads within the U.S., at least for the time being.

      This comeback signifies the end of a nearly five-year removal prompted by Epic Games’ introduction of a direct payment system that bypassed Apple’s in-app purchase fees, which was a violation of Apple's App Store policies.

      In a post on X on Tuesday, Epic Games’ founder and CEO Tim Sweeney stated: “Thanks to everyone who supported the effort to promote mobile competition and #FreeFortnite from the very start.”

      Sweeney also expressed gratitude to those who initially sided with Apple but later shifted their stance to support app developer rights and consumer rights.

      Epic Games has been engaged in legal battles to reinstate the popular title on the App Store. A significant victory occurred last month when a U.S. court ruling mandated Apple to allow apps to incorporate external payment links without imposing commissions on those transactions.

      Following Epic Games’ recent application for Fortnite's reinstatement in the U.S. App Store, Apple has finally granted approval, despite some additional legal complications and delays just last week.

      However, if you search for Fortnite in the App Store outside the U.S., it will still be unavailable as Apple continues its fight in other regions. For instance, the game remains accessible in the European Union through alternative platforms such as the Epic Games Store and AltStore.

      Fortnite has been readmitted to the U.S. App Store after a recent court ruling found that Apple violated a previous injunction in 2021 by continuing to restrict competition and forbidding alternative payment methods in its App Store. The judge instructed Apple to comply with the prior order, obliging it to permit Fortnite’s return and to allow external payment links in apps.

      Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers made several critical remarks about Apple in her ruling last month, denouncing the tech giant for consciously undermining her 2021 injunction, asserting that Apple aimed to “sustain a revenue stream worth billions in blatant violation of this court’s injunction.”

      She even referred an Apple executive to federal prosecutors for a criminal contempt investigation regarding their behavior in the case.

      The Fortnite saga represents a pivotal struggle over digital marketplace dominance, highlighting the conflict between app developers and platform owners like Apple regarding control, competition, and the ability to offer alternative payment methods outside closed ecosystems.

      Not so long ago, Trevor transitioned from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…

      Dolby Atmos finally arrives on Apple Music for Windows

      Almost four years back, Apple Music began supporting Dolby Atmos, but this feature has only recently become available to Windows subscribers. A recent support document from Apple (via MacRumors) confirms that this limitation has now been addressed.

      Dolby Atmos is an audio technology that enhances sound quality by generating three-dimensional soundscapes. Unlike traditional audio systems that rely on fixed channels or speakers, Dolby Atmos employs an object-based audio approach. This treats sound as individual "objects" that can be positioned anywhere within a three-dimensional space, including above the listener. This allows sound engineers and content creators to strategically place audio elements, leading to a more realistic listening experience.

      iOS 18.4 bug is bringing old deleted apps back from the dead

      If you've noticed an old app reappearing on your phone that you thought you had deleted months ago, you're not alone. Users on Reddit and Apple's Community Support forum have reported ghost apps attempting to reinstall on their devices after updating to iOS 18.4.

      According to MacRumors, this bug has started causing previously deleted apps to resurface over the last day. Most reports on Reddit seem to focus on gaming apps such as Call of Duty, Squid Game, Asphalt Legends, and Cooking Mama, along with a few other types of apps.

      Apple is finally fixing the alarm situation on its smartwatches

      Apple is preparing to roll out a considerate new feature that will provide some reassurance to smartwatch users. The upcoming watchOS 11.4 update will introduce an option that allows the alarm sound to activate even when the Apple Watch is in silent mode.

      This change was first noted in the update notes for watchOS 11.4 RC (Release Candidate), indicating that the stable update is imminent. “An option to allow Sleep Wake Up alarm to break through Silent Mode,” says the release document.

      Currently, Silent Mode only offers vibration-based haptic feedback for all alerts, including alarms. This mode is designed to prevent audible disturbances.

      However, there are instances where an audible cue may be beneficial. For example, if you're charging your watch near your bed while it's on silent mode, you'd ideally want the wake-up alarm to sound.

      An alarm should beep. Period.

      Many people aren’t comfortable sleeping with a watch on their wrist, as it can be an uncomfortable experience. Additionally, a