Microsoft's newest partnership with developer and publisher Epic Games allows iOS users to enjoy Fortnite through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Due to its legal battle with Epic Games over store fees, Apple kicked Fortnite off the App Store in August 2020. Some users have discovered ways to circumnavigate the issue, though the vast majority of iPhone and iPad owners remain unable to simply download the battle royale experience to their device of choice.
It hardly comes as a surprise that Microsoft brought forward the cleanest way to resolve the ongoing issue. The tech giant holds firm in its desire to bring its gaming initiatives to as many platforms as possible around the globe. Xbox Game Pass marked just the beginning of such a bold ambition, with the service continuing to shatter expectations at every turn. As of this past January, for example, the streaming platform had crossed 25 million users, up from the 23 million Xbox Game Pass members that Microsoft boasted about in April 2021. Xbox Cloud Gaming counts as another powerful tool in the company's towering aspirations.
Microsoft announced in an Xbox Wire post its new deal with Epic Games, which makes Fortnite playable across all browser-enabled devices through Xbox Cloud Gaming in 26 countries. As such, from here on out, those who want to play Fortnite need only a Microsoft Account and internet access on one of the following platforms: iOS, iPadOS, Android phone/tablet, or Windows PC. Now iPhone and iPad users should have a much easier time jumping into a match on the Island. Notably, signing in through a web browser is as simple as visiting Xbox.com/play and logging in with a Microsoft Account - no membership or installation processes required.
Fortnite marks the first free-to-play game to join Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming beta. The company noted in the above-mentioned Xbox Wire post that its teams will look into bringing even more free-to-play experiences to Cloud Gaming in the future, though nothing seems set in stone as of yet. Unsurprisingly, this serves as yet another step in Microsoft's goal of reaching upwards of three billion gamers around the world.
Since its release in 2017, Fortnite's battle royale offering has remained king of the mountain in terms of online gaming. To the delight of active users, Epic Games continues to expand upon the experience by regularly adding new playable characters, modes, and game-changing updates. One such update went live in late March and introduced a permanent version of Fortnite's Zero Build mode.
Fortnite is playable across all platforms.
Source: Xbox Wire, Xbox/YouTube