After years of legal back-and-forth, Fortnite is finally making a full return to Android’s biggest storefront. Epic Games has confirmed that Fortnite will be available globally on the Google Play Store starting March 19—the same day the game’s next season goes live. The title had already quietly reappeared in the US in December, but this marks its wider comeback.
What led to Fortnite’s removal
The saga goes back to 2020, when Google pulled Fortnite from the Play Store after Epic introduced its own payment system, bypassing Google’s standard 30 percent commission on in-app purchases.
Apple took a similar step on iOS, removing Fortnite from the App Store. What followed was a series of high-profile lawsuits, with Epic challenging the policies of both companies.
What changed now
The turning point came with a settlement between Epic and Google in November. More recently, Google confirmed it would reduce its cut on in-app purchases from 30 percent to a range of 10 to 20 percent.
That shift appears to have cleared the path for Fortnite’s return. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney also indicated that the company would bring the game back to the Play Store as part of the agreement.
What this means for players
For Android users, the result is simple: easier access. Instead of sideloading or using alternative stores, Fortnite will once again be available directly via the Play Store. The return also coincides with the launch of Fortnite’s next season, giving Epic a clean slate to bring players back.
Epic’s fight with Apple led to broader changes, including the App Store opening up in regions like the US and EU. Fortnite itself returned to Apple’s platform in the EU in 2024 and later in the US.
While the Google dispute hasn’t resulted in the same level of regulatory change, it still signals a shift—particularly with reduced commission rates and a more flexible approach to payments.
Epic isn’t stopping at just relisting the game. The company recently increased prices for its in-game V-Bucks currency and confirmed that Fortnite: Save the World—the original mode—will go free-to-play in April.
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