Fortnite returns to Google's Play Store in the USA

More than half a year after the shooter Fortnite returned to iPhones, Google is making it available again in the Play Store for Android in the USA. The return comes five years after Google removed it from the marketplace because game developer Epic Games intentionally violated the guidelines.

First in the USA

Since Thursday evening German time, Fortnite players in the USA can download the game directly from the Google Play Store again and play it on Android devices. Epic confirmed on X the game's return to Google's Play Store. The company stated it was the result of "Google's compliance with the US District Court's injunction." Epic was referring to the ongoing legal dispute and the proposed settlement.

It is still unclear when Google will release Fortnite in the Play Store outside the USA. It only states: "Stay tuned for news on Fortnite's return to Google Play in the rest of the world."

Fortnite's return to the Play Store came just weeks after Judge James Donato ordered Epic and Google to submit a report by December 19 on how Google is implementing the injunction. Donato scheduled a hearing for January 22, 2026, to evaluate the agreement between the two companies.

Google had removed Fortnite from the Play Store in August 2020 after Epic integrated a direct payment system into the game that bypassed billing through Google. This triggered a long-standing legal dispute over fees and rules for app distribution. Google and Epic announced a settlement in early November 2025, the terms of which Judge James Donato still has to approve. The proposed changes are expected to be valid until 2032.

Proposal for worldwide changes

If Donato approves the proposal, the Android ecosystem faces major changes as the reforms developed by Google and Epic go further in some areas than what Donato had previously imposed on Google.

Even though the proposals have not been communicated in detail at this point, the reform includes changes to the Play Store on a global level, although Donato's injunctions dating back to 2023 only applied to the USA. According to the proposal, independent app stores, for example, would be treated better as long as they meet Google's security requirements, among other things. Such app stores could be classified as "registered app stores," receive more privileges, and ensure more competition in the Android ecosystem, it is said.

Furthermore, developers would be allowed to offer alternative payment methods within their apps and even link to external web addresses for payment processing. However, Google will likely still be able to require its payment system in the Play Store, while other payment methods can be integrated optionally in addition. Developer fees would then be a maximum of 20 or 9 percent of revenue, depending on the type of transaction.

(afl)