Fortnite to return to Google Play worldwide — Epic and Google reach agreement

Following a protracted legal saga, Epic Games and Google have finally reached a comprehensive settlement.

The long-standing feud between Epic Games and Google over Fortnite, which ignited back in 2020, has officially been resolved. As part of this landmark agreement, the game is slated for a worldwide return to the Google Play Store in 2026.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced the breakthrough on X (formerly Twitter), expressing his gratitude toward Google for reaching the accord. He confirmed that Fortnite will once again be available for direct download via the Android app marketplace, while noting that Epic will continue to operate its independent Epic Games Store on the platform simultaneously.

The friction between the tech giants began in 2020 when Epic introduced a proprietary payment system within Fortnite to bypass store commissions. This led to the game’s immediate removal from both Google Play and the Apple App Store, triggering a complex series of global legal confrontations.

The tide began to shift in 2025 following several pivotal court rulings that reshaped the digital marketplace landscape. After a five-year hiatus, Fortnite made its return to the US Google Play Store in December 2025. This new settlement paves the way for the game to be restored to Android users on a global scale.

A significant portion of the agreement addresses structural changes to the Android ecosystem. Google is currently developing a streamlined registration program for third-party app stores, intended to simplify their installation and integration on mobile devices.

Furthermore, Google is overhauling its commission structure for the Google Play Billing system. Fees are expected to drop to 5% in the US, EU, and UK. For standard in-game purchases, the rate will range between 15% and 20%, while subscription fees will be set at 10%. This revised system will begin rolling out in select regions this June, with a full global implementation anticipated by September 2027.

Source: iXBT.games