FORTNITE is set to return to the Google Play Store after it was dramatically pulled five years ago.
Bosses of the game revealed that it’ll be easily accessible to 3.9billion users worldwide “soon” after the company ended a long-running bitter feud with .
Fortnite has been absent from the Google Play Store for five yearsCredit: Alamy
The two companies have been locked in a lengthy legal battleCredit: Getty
Epic Games has been in legal battles with both Google and over the fees they impose on developers to be hosted on their respective app stores.
Fortnite was in the summer of 2020.
Epic Games had accused Google of illegally monopolising how users access apps and make in-app purchases.
With Fortnite missing from Android, it meant the only way users could get hold of the game on mobile was by so-called “sideloading” which requires risky background setting changes and downloading outside the safety of the app store.
finally in the US back in May last year – but it’s still .
But now it’s coming back to the Google Play Store after the tech giant made significant changes that’s likely to end a bruising legal battle – though it will still need to be approved by a US judge.
Google says it will expand billing options so developers can use alternative payment systems and allow them to direct users to their own websites for purchases.
The firm is also cutting developer fees as well as in-app purchase service fees, which will roll out by region from June.
“This gives app stores more ways to reach users and gives users more ways to easily and safely access the apps and games they love,” said Sameer Samat, president of Android Ecosystem at Google.
Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney welcomed the shake-up, saying: “Google is opening up Android all the way with robust support for competing stores, competing payments, and a better deal for all developers.
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“So, we’ve settled all of our disputes worldwide. THANKS GOOGLE!
“Fortnite will return to Google Play Store worldwide soon.
“Epic Games Store continues supporting Android worldwide alongside Windows and Mac, and installation on Android will become much easier later in 2026.”
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I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
