Fortnite Returns to Google Play Store on Android
â–¼ Summary
– Fortnite is once again available for direct download on the Google Play Store for Android users in the United States.
– The game’s return follows its earlier reinstatement on Apple’s App Store in May, after a five-year absence from both major app stores.
– Epic Games had originally removed Fortnite to challenge the app store policies of Apple and Google, forcing Android users to sideload the game.
– Epic states the return is due to Google complying with a U.S. District Court injunction from their ongoing legal battle.
– A judge has ordered an update on Google’s compliance by December 19th and set an evidentiary hearing for January 22nd to assess the proposed settlement.
Android users in the United States can now download Fortnite directly from the Google Play Store once again. This move follows the game’s recent return to Apple’s App Store and marks a significant shift after a five-year absence from Google’s official marketplace. During that time, players had to manually sideload the game onto their devices, a process that was less convenient and carried potential security risks.
The reinstatement is a direct outcome of Google’s compliance with a U.S. District Court injunction, stemming from Epic Games’ ongoing legal challenge against the tech giant’s app store policies. Epic confirmed the news on social media, stating players should “stay tuned” for information on when the game will become available on the Play Store in regions outside the U.S.
This development arrives just weeks after Judge James Donato instructed both companies to provide an update by December 19th regarding Google’s adherence to the court order. The judge has scheduled an evidentiary hearing for January 22nd to evaluate the proposed settlement between Epic and Google. The return of Fortnite to the Play Store represents a major step in this protracted legal dispute, which centers on developer fees and the control exerted by major platform holders over software distribution.
(Source: The Verge)
