Since Fortnite’s big legal fight with Apple, a lot of talk has focused on Fortnite disappearing from iOS devices. But what about Mac users?
While Fortnite is slowly coming back to iPhones and iPads in many regions, Mac users are still left wondering: Can you play Fortnite on Mac? The situation is a bit complicated. Even though Fortnite is back on iOS in some areas, playing it on Mac remains tricky.
Let’s break down the story and find out what’s going on with Fortnite on Mac in 2025, including how you might still get the game running there.
What Happened with Fortnite and Apple?
Back in 2020, Epic Games had a major clash with Apple. Epic tried to bypass Apple’s payment system inside Fortnite, which led Apple to remove Fortnite from its App Store on iPhones and iPads. This fight also affected Macs, but in a different way.
Apple’s App Store on iOS is very strict and only allows apps approved by Apple. Macs, on the other hand, let users download apps from other websites, not just the Mac App Store.
So, technically, Mac users could still install Fortnite from other sources. But after the fight, Epic Games removed Fortnite from all Apple platforms, including Mac.
Since then, Fortnite’s availability on Mac has stayed frozen. Players can only use the last version available before Apple blocked it. And new Fortnite updates or seasons don’t work on Mac anymore.
So, yes, you can sort of play Fortnite on Mac — but only an old version that Epic has abandoned.
Can You Play the New Fortnite Seasons on Mac?
No. Unfortunately, Mac users cannot play the latest Fortnite seasons or updates. The version on Mac is like a snapshot from the past, stuck in Chapter 2. Epic Games stopped updating it for Mac after the dispute with Apple.
Recent court rulings have forced Apple to bring Fortnite back to iOS in some countries. But these rulings apply only to the iOS App Store, not the Mac App Store. That’s because Apple’s Mac system works differently, and there are no monopoly rules affecting it the same way.
Plus, Epic Games had their developer access revoked by Apple, making it harder for them to release new Fortnite versions for Mac. So, Epic decided not to update or re-release Fortnite on Mac, focusing instead on their own Epic Games Store platform for Mac users.
Why Doesn’t Epic Update Fortnite for Mac?
One big reason is that most gamers prefer Windows PCs over Macs for gaming. Macs aren’t as popular for playing heavy games because of their hardware and software setup.
Epic probably doesn’t see much benefit in updating Fortnite for Mac since it wouldn’t bring in many new players or sales compared to mobile or PC versions.
Mobile Fortnite, especially on iOS and Android, has millions of players and a thriving in-game item shop, so Epic focuses its efforts there.
That said, it’s not impossible that Fortnite could come back to Mac someday. If Apple and Epic reach new agreements or if there’s enough demand, we might see Fortnite updates on Mac again in 2025 or later.
How to Play Fortnite on Mac Today? Streaming Services
Even though you can’t run the newest Fortnite natively on Mac, you can still play it using cloud streaming services. This means you stream the game from a powerful server online, while your Mac just shows the video and sends your controls back.
Cloud streaming works well even on older Macs or machines that aren’t made for gaming. Since the game runs on the cloud server, your local hardware isn’t a problem.
Here are some popular streaming services you can try:
- Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud): Xbox Cloud lets you play Fortnite through your browser on Mac. It’s smooth and reliable.
- Amazon Luna: Amazon’s cloud gaming platform also supports Fortnite and works well on Mac.
These streaming options let you play the latest Fortnite seasons on Mac without needing a powerful computer. It’s not the same as playing the game installed on your system, but it’s a great alternative right now.
Summary
To sum up, Fortnite on Mac is stuck in a strange spot in 2025. You can’t download or update the game like you used to, and new seasons don’t run on Mac natively anymore.
The legal battle between Epic Games and Apple mainly affected iOS, but Mac users also feel the impact since Epic pulled the game from all Apple devices.
However, thanks to cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud and Amazon Luna, Mac users can still enjoy Fortnite without worrying about hardware limitations.
These streaming platforms let you play the latest Fortnite versions through your Mac browser, making it easy to jump back into the game.
While it seems unlikely Epic will focus on Mac updates soon, there’s always a chance Fortnite could return fully to Mac if the companies resolve their issues. For now, streaming is the best way to play Fortnite on Mac in 2025.