Epic Games has announced that its popular game Fortnite will return to Android devices and the Google Play Store worldwide after Google introduced major changes to how apps and payments work on the platform. The move comes after a long-running dispute between Epic Games and Google over app store rules and fees. In a blog post, Epic said Google’s new policies will allow more competition among app stores and give developers greater control over how payments are handled within apps. Sharing a post on X, Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney wrote:“Google is opening up Android all the way with robust support for competing stores, competing payments, and a better deal for all developers. So, we’ve settled all of our disputes worldwide. THANKS GOOGLE!”. He was responding to a post by Sameer Samat, President, Android Ecosystem announcing the changes to the platform.In another post, Sweeney said: “Fortnite will return to Google Play Store worldwide soon. Epic Games Store continues supporting Android worldwide alongside Windows and Mac, and installation on Android will become much easier later in 2026.”
What Epic Games said in the blog post
Epic said the changes mark a shift toward greater openness on Android and confirmed that its disputes with Google have now been settled globally.“Android is now fully open to robust competition among mobile app stores outside of the US, and Epic and Google have submitted a proposal to the US District Court to finalize the same here,” Epic said.“Globally, developers will have choices in how they make payments using Google Play’s payment system and competing payment systems, with reduced fees and the ability to point users outside apps to make purchases. And Google will take steps to support the future open metaverse.”Epic added that the new system could help create more competition among app stores, similar to what exists on Windows with platforms such as Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Changes Google has announced
Google confirmed several updates to how the Play Store will work, including more billing options for developers and lower fees. Developers will now be able to use their own payment systems inside apps alongside Google Play billing or guide users to make purchases outside the app.Google also said it will introduce a Registered App Stores program that makes it easier to install alternative app stores on Android devices. The program will start outside the United States before expanding further.Sameer Samat, president of the Android Ecosystem, said the platform is designed to remain open for developers and users.“At this important moment, we want to continue leading the way in how developers distribute their apps and games to people on billions of devices across many form factors. A modern platform must be flexible, providing developers and users with choice and openness as well as a safe experience,” Samat said.He added: “We’re doing that in three ways: more billing options, a program for registered app stores, and lower fees and new programs for developers.”Under the new model, developers using Google Play’s billing system in regions including the United States, United Kingdom and European Economic Area will pay a 5% billing rate, while service fees for in-app purchases will be reduced to 20% for new installs and 15% for some developers under incentive programs.What’s changing for FortniteWith the disputes resolved and the new policies in place, Epic confirmed it will bring Fortnite back to the Google Play Store worldwide. The company also said it will continue investing in the Epic Games Store for Android to support developers and gamers.The rollout of the new system will begin gradually. Google said updated fees will start rolling out in the United States, United Kingdom and European Economic Area by June 30, followed by Australia by September 30, and Japan and Korea by December 31, with global rollout expected by September 2027.Google said the changes aim to create a stronger Android ecosystem with more successful developers and better apps and games available to users.
