Epic Games, the creator of the wildly popular game Fortnite, is no stranger to taking a tough stand against tech giants like Apple and Google. Now, the company is setting its sights on Samsung, challenging its restrictive policies regarding app downloads from sources outside its app store.
Samsung’s New Auto Blocker Feature
Samsung regularly updates One UI, its custom Android OS skin for Galaxy smartphones. The recently released One UI 6.1.1 update includes a new feature called Auto Blocker. This feature essentially prohibits users from installing apps from unauthorized and unrecognized sources. According to Samsung, Auto Blocker is designed to shield users from potentially harmful malware.
However, Epic Games has voiced strong objections to Auto Blocker, particularly because Samsung has auto-enabled this feature. This means that Galaxy smartphone users who download and install One UI 6.1.1 will have Auto Blocker automatically enabled by default. The Auto Blocker feature would attempt to block the installation of apps and games sourced outside the Galaxy Store, which would negatively impact Fortnite installations.
Fortnite’s Availability on Multiple Third-Party App Stores
Despite the challenges posed by Samsung’s Auto Blocker, Epic Games isn’t pulling Fortnite from other popular app stores. In fact, Fortnite will soon be available on iPhones as well, although it will only be officially available on iOS in countries that are part of the European Union.
It appears that Epic Games is betting big on third-party app stores. The publisher has indicated that Fortnite will be available on the AltStore, which is designed for iOS, in the EU. Additionally, Epic Games could reportedly announce support for at least two other third-party stores in the near future.
The Epic Games Store is also expected to launch for the Android ecosystem, although the publisher hasn’t confirmed any specific launch date yet. Currently, Android users who want to download Fortnite have to rely on side-loading, a process that involves manually downloading and installing the app from sources outside the official app store.
As Epic Games continues to navigate the complex landscape of app distribution, it remains to be seen how its ongoing battle with Samsung will unfold. One thing is certain: the company is committed to ensuring that Fortnite remains accessible to its vast and dedicated player base, regardless of the hurdles it faces.
