Fortnite: Why Isn't Gifting Available on iOS?

After teasing theFortnitegifting feature, Epic Games finally made it available to players this week. For the next week, players on Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Android devices will be able to send gifts to their friends. But, notably absent from that list is iOS, as those on Apple devices will not be able to make use of the feature.

Understandably, those who playFortniteon iOS are confused and upset at the absence of the feature. In the announcement post for theFortnitegifting feature, Epic Games explained that gifting is not available on iOS because Apple’s policies “prohibit it.” On Twitter, Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney said that he would “love” to see Apple “open up iOS” and allow developers like Epic Games to regain their creative and commercial freedom.

It’s not surprising to hear Sweeney criticize Apple, even in less-than-harsh tones. The developer has previously slammed closed systems and the way in which they restrict, limit, and take a portion of the studio’s revenue. This is the reason why Epic chose to offerFortniteAndroid through the Epic Launcherrather than putting the game on the Google Play marketplace.

For many, the “walled garden” is a selling point for iOS. Features that may seem anti-developer to actual developers can be positives for consumers. For example, Apple policy also forces devs todisclose loot box odds. While the exact reasoning for Apple’s block on gifting is unclear, it may be due to security concerns and fears that players could abuse the system.

In the meantime though, players on iOS can still benefit from gifting. BecauseFortnitehas cross-progressionnow, players have worked out that they could receive gifts on the PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, or Android version of the game and gain access to those gifts in the iOS version. It’s not the easiest workaround and it will require people to playFortniteon another device (besides iOS) but until Apple changes its mind, it’s the only way that iOS players will be able to enjoy it any time soon.

Fortniteis available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android and iOS devices.