A few hours ago, Epic Games announced that it has launched the Epic Games Store for Android (worldwide) and iOS (only in the EU) devices. Currently, the Epic Games Store only lists Fall Guys, Fortnite, and Rocket League Sideswipe, but it will eventually offer apps and games from other developers. Fall Guys and Fortnite both support all the features, including cross-platform progression.
This launch comes just in time for the release of Fortnite Battle Royale Chapter 5, Season 4: Absolute Doom. Epic Games confirmed that its games will soon be available on alternative app stores for Android, including One Store.
Fortnite was removed from Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store for trying to bypass Apple’s and Google’s in-app purchase policies for Fortnite’s in-game currency V-Bucks. Since then, Epic Games has been fighting a legal battle with Apple and Google, arguing that these companies illegally throttle competition and overcharge developers when they try to sell their apps, games, and in-app/game purchases.
Both Apple and Google can charge developers up to 30% commission for apps, games, and in-app purchases. Both also restrict developers from leading users from their app to their own website for in-app purchases. After years of legal battles in the European Union (EU) and the US, Epic Games won the antitrust case against Google over the Play Store in September 2023. Since then, Google loosened its restrictions and allowed app and game developers to navigate their users to their websites for in-app purchases.
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) was passed in the EU, forcing Apple to allow third-party app stores on iOS and iPadOS. The Epic Games Store will charge a maximum of 12% commission from developers, which is less than half of what Apple and Google charge. Epic Games CEO says this will force Apple and Google reduce their commissions.
How to Install Epic Games Store on Galaxy Smartphone and Tablet
- Head over to Epic.Download using the web browser (preferably Google Chrome or Samsung Internet) on your smartphone.
- Click the ‘Install on Android‘ button.
- You will see a pop-up saying, “File might be harmful.” Tap the ‘Download Anyway‘ button on that pop-up window.
- Once the download is done, you will see a small notification on the top of the screen. Tap the ‘Open‘ button on that notification.
- You will now see another pop-up window that says “For your security, your phone currently isn’t allowed to install apps from this source.” Tap Settings and then enable the Allow From This Source toggle you see on the screen.
- You will now see another pop-up window asking if you want to install the Epic Games store. Tap Install.
- Once the installation is complete, open the Epic Games Store from the app drawer and sign into your Epic Games account.
- Now, to install any app from the Epic Games Store, tap the Install button.
- You will now see another pop-up window. Tap Settings on that window, and then enable the Allow From This Source toggle you see on the screen.
- Finally, a new pop-up window will ask whether you want to install the game. Tap Install, and the game will be downloaded and installed on your Galaxy phone or tablet.
Watch the video below to understand this lengthy process better.
Tim Sweeney, CEO and Founder of Epic Games, said, “The tide is turning, and the mobile ecosystem is finally opening up to competition. We are grateful to the European Commission for making it possible to launch the Epic Games Store and offer our games to iOS users in the European Union.”
