Epic finally releases Fortnite for Android on Google Play Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Epic finally releases Fortnite for Android on Google Play Criticises Google's "scary" tactics. News by Tom Phillips Deputy Editor Updated on 22 Apr 2020 57 comments After 18 months of availability on Android phones, Fortnite will finally be available to download via Google's own Play store. The decision to release the battle royale via Android's standard shopfront brings an end to the long-running stalemate between Epic and the platform holder, which all boils down to money. On Android, Fortnite launched outside of the Google Play store and in so doing dodged Google's standard 30 per cent cut of transactions made on the platform. In a 2018 interview with Digital Foundry, Epic boss Tim Sweeney suggested this was because that 30 per cent did not reflect Google's input into the creation and ongoing development of the game. But that 30 per cent is also the standard on other platforms, such as on iPhone, where no other (legal) method of downloading software is made available. On PC, of course, Epic chose to create its own game store and launcher to combat market leader Steam - and Fortnite for PC is only available to download from that. Last night, Epic said it would now begrudgingly release Android via Google Play after realising that games released outside of it would launch at a "disadvantage". Watch on YouTube "After 18 months of operating Fortnite on Android outside of the Google Play Store, we've come to a basic realisation: "Google puts software downloadable outside of Google Play at a disadvantage, through technical and business measures such as scary, repetitive security pop-ups for downloaded and updated software, restrictive manufacturer and carrier agreements and dealings, Google public relations characterising third party software sources as malware, and new efforts such as Google Play Protect to outright block software obtained outside the Google Play store. "Because of this, we've launched Fortnite for Android on the Google Play Store. We'll continue to operate the Epic Games App and Fortnite outside of Google Play, too. "We hope that Google will revise its policies and business dealings in the near future, so that all developers are free to reach and engage in commerce with customers on Android and in the Play Store through open services, including payment services, that can compete on a level playing field." The move comes in time for this week's series of massive live concert events starring rapper Travis Scott, who will be available to buy as an in-game skin. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 59 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 11 Latest Articles Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 59 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store