Fortnite Is Back on Android via Google Play Store, and Apple’s Epic Battle Reaches a New Landmark
After a five-year hiatus, Android users can again download Fortnite straight from Google Play on phones and tablets (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.epicgames.fortnite). The game has resurfaced in the United States, following a settlement between Epic Games and Google that wrapped up a long-running legal dispute.
In 2020, Fortnite vanished from both Apple’s App Store and Google Play after Epic introduced a payment method that bypassed the two tech giants’ in-app purchase systems. Epic’s goal was to cut the typical 30% fees charged by Apple and Google, a move that ignited a series of lawsuits and court battles.
For Android players, sideloading the game was an option during the ban, but it required extra steps and wasn’t as straightforward as downloading from Google’s official store. Outside the U.S., access remained limited, though Epic advised followers to stay tuned for further updates.
The Epic v. Google case reached a settlement that was approved by a court process in early November. Epic stated that it would continue working with Google to obtain court approval for the settlement.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney initially hinted the game would return to the Play Store in July, and the company officially announced the return after Google complied with a U.S. District Court injunction. The decision was aligned with the launch of the game’s Season 7 update, aiming to capitalize on the momentum.
Meanwhile, Apple’s own legal fight with Epic took a turn as the company pursued an appeal against a ruling, though the appeals panel later denied parts of the challenge. A Ninth Circuit decision suggested Apple could charge commissions on purchases initiated outside the App Store, potentially reshaping how external links and cross-store purchases are handled.
Sweeney celebrated this development, framing it as the end of the so‑called “Apple Tax” in the U.S. and predicting expanded, untaxed competition in iOS payment ecosystems worldwide.
About the reporting:
- James Peckham covers the tech beat for PCMag, bringing more than a decade of experience to this briefing.
Thought-provoking questions to consider:
- Should platform owners be allowed to levy fees on transactions that occur outside their ecosystems, or should alternative payment routes be freed from such constraints?
- How might these legal shifts influence app developers, consumers, and the broader app marketplace in the coming years?
If you have thoughts on these changes or want to discuss how they might affect future app pricing and distribution, share your perspective in the comments.
