Back on App Store, Fortnite leaves older iPhone users staring at a 4GB RAM warning

After years of waiting, Fortnite is finally back on iOS devices. But for many iPhone users, their excitement quickly turned to disappointment when they encountered an unwelcome message. The game requires devices with at least 4GB of RAM to run, leaving owners of older iPhones unable to play despite the long-awaited return.

This issue stems from the technical specifications of older iPhones. For instance, the iPhone XR, a once popular model, only has 3GB of RAM. The same goes for the iPad 9th generation and even the iPhone SE (2020). These devices simply do not meet Fortnite’s current minimum requirements. “I waited five years for nothing,” one disappointed user commented, expressing a common sentiment. Another user posted, “Is there any way to get rid of the 4GB RAM message?” The answer, sadly, is no. You cannot magically download more RAM. The game requires a device with the necessary hardware.

But the problem goes a bit deeper. Many users are getting confused between RAM and storage space, leading to unsuccessful attempts at freeing up storage to solve the problem. One iPad user deleted multiple apps thinking it would help, only to discover that the 4GB refers to system memory, not available storage. This technical misunderstanding has left many players feeling deceived after waiting five years for Fortnite’s iOS return.

Epic Games has been clear about which devices can handle the game. iPhone 11 or newer models are supported when running iOS 17.6.1 or higher, but there’s a notable exception. The iPhone SE Generation 2, released in 2020, only has 3GB of RAM and cannot run the game despite being relatively recent. This creates an odd situation where some newer budget devices are incompatible while older flagship models work perfectly fine.

Fortnite’s return to iOS became possible after Apple lost its antitrust case against Epic Games, forcing changes to App Store policies. This legal victory allowed Epic to offer alternative payment methods and eventually bring Fortnite back to iPhone users. However, the technical demands of the modern game mean that victory feels hollow for users with incompatible devices.

While newer iPhones like the iPhone 11 and later models are supported (with the exception of the iPhone SE 2nd Generation), the situation leaves many loyal fans with older devices feeling left out. It is a harsh reality for players who hoped to jump back into the action without buying a new phone. The game simply demands more processing power and memory than their current hardware can provide.