Apple Earned Over $100 Million From Fortnite - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Earned Over $100 Million From Fortnite

Apple collected more than $100 million in revenue from the 30 percent cut that it takes from Fortnite in-app purchases, according to testimony provided by App Store gaming business development head Michael Schmid, who shared the detail in the ongoing Epic v. Apple trial.

fortnite apple featured
As noted by Bloomberg, Schmid offered the $100 million figure as a rough estimate, and declined to provide a specific dollar amount because that would be "inappropriate."

Sensor Tower last year estimated that Fortnite players have spent $1.2 billion on in-app purchases in the ‌App Store‌, which would have netted Apple $354 million. Fortnite has been on the ‌App Store‌ since 2018, and prior to its removal, it was a highly popular iOS game.

According to Schmid, Apple spent $1 million marketing for Fortnite in its last 11 months on the ‌App Store‌.

Apple software engineering chief Craig Federighi is testifying in the Epic v. Apple trial today, following Phil Schiller's testimony earlier this week. Apple CEO Tim Cook is expected to take the stand on Friday, where he will answer questions for 100 minutes.

Popular Stories

app store blue banner epic 1

Apple Asks Supreme Court to Throw Out App Store Contempt Ruling

Monday September 14, 2026 4:28 pm PDT by
Apple today filed its opening merits brief with the Supreme Court as it prepares to fight the contempt ruling that forced it to change its App Store rules. Apple is asking the Supreme Court to reverse or vacate the contempt order, which would return the App Store to its pre–2025 rules. The Supreme Court filing is part of Apple's ongoing legal battle with Epic Games, which has gotten more...
Apple TV 4K HomeView HomePod Mini tweaked

New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked

Sunday October 11, 2026 12:56 pm PDT by
Just two days before Apple's "Welcome home" experience in New York, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has leaked several details about the new products set to be unveiled, including an all-new smart home hub, a HomePod mini 2, and a new Apple TV 4K. Here is an all-in-one summary of the details shared by Gurman:Apple's home hub with a touch-enabled display will be named HomeView, seemingly confirming a ...
apple welcome home event

Apple Product Launch Announced for October 13: 'Welcome Home'

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:04 am PDT by
Apple today announced an upcoming product launch that will take place on Tuesday, October 13. We are expecting Apple's announcement to focus on new smart home products, including the long-rumored smart home hub, a new Apple TV 4K, and a refreshed HomePod mini. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The home hub is an all-new device that's like a cross between an iPad and...

Top Rated Comments

ck2875 Avatar
71 months ago
Gets out Rough Estimate Calculator:

Apple's 100m = 30/100 = 100m/333m.

333m x 70/100 = 233m.

So if Apple made over $100m from Fortnite on iOS, Epic made over $233m from having their game on iOS.


(Advice to future self: Avoid letting your children anywhere near Free-to-Play money/fire pits.)
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I7guy Avatar
71 months ago

Totally justified. It's very expensive for Apple for iOS fortnite players to launch the fortnite app, log in to their fortnite account, connect to EPIC's servers, and download virtual content produced by EPIC'S employees that is hosted and distributed by EPIC. After all, Apple has to process the payments for all that digital content purchased from some other company and hosted by someone else's property (due to self self-inposed rules which has apparently netted them a cool $100 million).
Absolutely. Apple built a platform costing how many $$$. For a paltry $99 and blood, sweat and tears, you can publish an app, with a complete management and distribution platform while giving access to the app to over 1 billion devices.

Seems like a fair deal.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
71 months ago

Hope Apples store tax will be reduced or removed. Apples monopoly needs to end.
Go yell at every other store making money. And target. And Walmart. And grocery stores. And gas stations. And
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
71 months ago

Totally justified. It's very expensive for Apple for iOS fortnite players to launch the fortnite app, log in to their fortnite account, connect to EPIC's servers, and download virtual content produced by EPIC'S employees that is hosted and distributed by EPIC. After all, Apple has to process the payments for all that digital content purchased from some other company and hosted by someone else's property (due to self self-inposed rules which has apparently netted them a cool $100 million).
Damn.

Absolutely. Apple built a platform costing how many $$$. For a paltry $99 and blood, sweat and tears, you can publish an app, with a complete management and distribution platform while giving access to the app to over 1 billion devices.

Seems like a fair deal.
It’s like people ignore that. Apple isn’t a charity.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eso Avatar
71 months ago
Totally justified. It's very expensive for Apple for iOS fortnite players to launch the fortnite app, log in to their fortnite account, connect to EPIC's servers, and download virtual content produced by EPIC'S employees that is hosted and distributed by EPIC. After all, Apple has to process the payments for all that digital content purchased from some other company and hosted by someone else's property (due to self self-inposed rules which has apparently netted them a cool $100 million).
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrTemple Avatar
71 months ago
One thing that struck me about switching to MacOS/iOS dev was the INCREDIBLE breadth and depth of framework apis and developer tools built out, then documented and demonstrated via super thorough WWDC training materials and courses.

And these apis (and the Swift language) are undergoing constant rapid development (with VERY little abandonment of frameworks or backwards compatibility, indeed actually a huge effort put in toward future compatibility).

And you can see SO much of this effort is done purely for the public API access. They would spend many tens of thousands fewer dev-hours if they were only doing it for the private apis and apps.

And this isn’t even to mention their dedication to accessibility (across so many stripes) that they practically hand you for free and regularly reinforce from the framework architectures right up to their developer training materials.

It is absolutely true to say that Apple develops a LARGE part of nearly every app on their store. And without those hundreds of thousands of Apple developer hours, the app-makers themselves would be on the hook for a stupidly massive undertaking to get anywhere NEAR the functionality they have.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini 2 Pre-Orders Expected to Begin This Week
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini 2 Pre-Orders Expected to Begin This Week
6 hours ago
New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked
New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked
13 hours ago
New Entry-Level iPad Not Expected Until Early 2027
New Entry-Level iPad Not Expected Until Early 2027
17 hours ago
Apple Plans Major iPhone Duo Retail Showcase, But Supply Will Be Limited
Apple Plans Major iPhone Duo Retail Showcase, But Supply Will Be Limited
17 hours ago
Apple TV 4K Getting A19 Chip and a Potentially Easier-to-Find Siri Remote
Apple TV 4K Getting A19 Chip and a Potentially Easier-to-Find Siri Remote
18 hours ago
New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Receive Up to $200 Price Cuts at Amazon
New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Receive Up to $200 Price Cuts at Amazon
18 hours ago
Apple HomeView Smart Hub to Ship in Mid-November in Four Colors
Apple HomeView Smart Hub to Ship in Mid-November in Four Colors
18 hours ago
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini to Ship on October 30
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini to Ship on October 30
19 hours ago
AirPods Max 2 Available for $429 in All Colors on Amazon
AirPods Max 2 Available for $429 in All Colors on Amazon
19 hours ago
Rumor: Apple to Announce New Partnership With ADT
Rumor: Apple to Announce New Partnership With ADT
1 day ago
AirPods 5 vs. AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Buyer's Guide
AirPods 5 vs. AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Buyer's Guide
2 days ago
Accessory Deals This Weekend: Save on TVs, Headphones, and Smart Home Gear
Accessory Deals This Weekend: Save on TVs, Headphones, and Smart Home Gear
2 days ago
Apple's All-New Home Hub Will Be Revealed October 13: What to Expect
Apple's All-New Home Hub Will Be Revealed October 13: What to Expect
2 days ago
Apple Announcing HomePod Mini 2 Next Week With These New Features
Apple Announcing HomePod Mini 2 Next Week With These New Features
2 days ago
A New Apple TV 4K is Finally Coming on Tuesday
A New Apple TV 4K is Finally Coming on Tuesday
2 days ago
Top Stories: Apple's 'Welcome Home' Launch on October 13 and More
Top Stories: Apple's 'Welcome Home' Launch on October 13 and More
2 days ago
Apple Stores Will Add Your Name to iPhone Duo's Startup Screen
Apple Stores Will Add Your Name to iPhone Duo's Startup Screen
2 days ago
SpaceX Inches Closer to Becoming a U.S. Carrier
SpaceX Inches Closer to Becoming a U.S. Carrier
2 days ago
Apple Potentially Behind 'HomeView' Trademark Filed Alongside 'homeOS' Last Year
Apple Potentially Behind 'HomeView' Trademark Filed Alongside 'homeOS' Last Year
3 days ago
Mark Your Calendar: Six Important Apple Dates Coming Up This Month
Mark Your Calendar: Six Important Apple Dates Coming Up This Month
3 days ago
MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a Nylon Band From Southern Straps
MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a Nylon Band From Southern Straps
3 days ago
First Apple TV 4K Now 'Vintage' Ahead of New Model Coming on Tuesday
First Apple TV 4K Now 'Vintage' Ahead of New Model Coming on Tuesday
3 days ago
The MacRumors Show: Apple's Smart Home Products Are Coming
The MacRumors Show: Apple's Smart Home Products Are Coming
3 days ago
Apple Shares Fall After News of iPhone 18 Pro Order Cuts
Apple Shares Fall After News of iPhone 18 Pro Order Cuts
3 days ago
Leak Details iPhone Features for Apple's LG Home Accessories
Leak Details iPhone Features for Apple's LG Home Accessories
3 days ago
Prime Day Leftover Deals: AirPods Max 2 for $429, Mac Mini for $779.99, and More
Prime Day Leftover Deals: AirPods Max 2 for $429, Mac Mini for $779.99, and More
3 days ago
Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
3 days ago
Mac Shipments Fall, But Apple Still Gains Ground in Shrinking Market
Mac Shipments Fall, But Apple Still Gains Ground in Shrinking Market
3 days ago
Apple Reportedly Cuts iPhone 18 Pro Orders After Price Hike Dampens Demand
Apple Reportedly Cuts iPhone 18 Pro Orders After Price Hike Dampens Demand
3 days ago
Apple Signs Hiring and Licensing Deal With AI Podcast Startup Huxe
Apple Signs Hiring and Licensing Deal With AI Podcast Startup Huxe
3 days ago