After a lengthy hiatus, Fortnite is set to make its return to the Google Play Store for Android users. Tim Sweeney, the CEO and founder of Epic Games, has announced that this beloved battle royale game will soon be available on the platform globally.
This proclamation marks a notable change in the long-standing relationship between Epic Games and Google. The saga began back in 2021 when Fortnite was taken off the Play Store after Epic opted out of using Google's in-app billing system.
A Simplified Installation Process for Android Players
The return of Fortnite means that installing it on Android devices will become much simpler for players. Previously, many had to rely on choice methods like sideloading or using the Epic Games Store app rather of downloading directly from Google’s official marketplace.
h3 class= “wp-block-heading”>The Twists and Turns of Fortnite's Journey with Google Play
When Fortnite first launched on Android back in 2018, it did so outside of the Google Play Store through an installer created by Epic itself. This decision was made as a protest against Google's hefty 30% cut from in-app purchases. In 2020, there was a brief moment when Fortnite appeared again on the Play Store but was quickly removed after introducing an alternative payment method within the game.
Epic's Confirmation Marks New Beginnings
In December 2025, Fortnite briefly returned to the play store due to a court ruling; however, this was limited only to users in America. Recently, Tim Sweeney took to X (formerly Twitter) stating that “Fortnite will return to google Play worldwide soon.” He also highlighted that Epic’s own store would continue playing an vital role by supporting Android users globally while making installation easier later this year.
This means that players can now choose between downloading Fortnite via either Google play or through Epic’s own platform—offering more versatility than ever before!
The timing of this shift seems linked with broader updates within how apps function on Android devices. Recently,Google announced significant changes aimed at giving developers greater freedom—including support for different billing systems and simplified installations via third-party app stores.
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