Fortnite Is Back on Android via Google Play Store, While Apple Faces a High-Profile Ruling Challenge
After a five-year hiatus, Android users can once again download Fortnite straight from the Google Play Store. The move marks a settlement in a lengthy legal dispute between Epic Games and Google, with the game returning in the United States as part of the resolution.
Fortnite was removed from both Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store in 2020 after Epic introduced a direct payment option that bypassed the app stores’ standard processes. Epic’s goal was to lower costs for players by eliminating the 30% commission typically charged by Apple and Google. The showdown escalated into ongoing lawsuits against both tech giants.
Since then, Android players could sideload Fortnite, but this method is more cumbersome than a normal Play Store download. Outside the U.S., access remained restricted, though Epic advised followers to “stay tuned for news.”
The Epic v. Google case advanced toward settlement, with official court approval still in progress. Epic Communications indicated ongoing collaboration with Google to obtain court approval for the settlement.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney had initially hinted the game would return to the Play Store in July, though public confirmation surfaced later. The presence of Fortnite on Android reportedly resumed around December 11, aligning with the launch of season seven’s new Battle Royale updates.
Meanwhile, Apple’s appeal in its separate dispute with Epic moved forward. Apple previously brought the case to an appeals court after a judge’s ruling; the Ninth Circuit denied certain aspects of the appeal but did overturn some of the judge’s conclusions, suggesting Apple could levy commissions on purchases made outside Apple’s own ecosystem.
In commentary on the ruling, Sweeney proclaimed the era of the so-called “Apple Tax” in the United States was over and touted the prospect of genuine, tax-free competition in iOS payments worldwide. He also touted the broader implications for external-link purchases and inter-platform payment coordination.
What this means for players and developers is a potential shift in how digital purchases are handled across major platforms. Does this signal a new standard for app-store economics, or will new compromises emerge as courts continue to weigh in? Share your take on how these rulings could reshape mobile payments and app-store policies in the comments.
About the author: James Peckham is a technology journalist with PCMag, covering the latest developments in gadgets, software, and services that shape everyday tech use. If you have tips, he invites you to reach out.
