Good news, Android users, as Fortnite will make its long-awaited comeback to the Google Play Store.
Epic Games Founder and CEO Tim Sweeney has confirmed that "Fortnite will return to Google Play Store worldwide soon," following an announcement that Google will introduce changes that will open up Android devices to competition in stores and payments.
The more significant aspect of this conversation is the confirmation that Epic Games has fully settled their disputes with Google worldwide include in the US, Australia, and the UK.
Google is opening up Android devices to competition for stores and payment systems globally and we've settled our disputes around the world. See our post here:https://t.co/ehS0GrmjDy
— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) March 4, 2026
A Dispute Spanning Years Has Finally Been Resolved
The dispute between Google and Epic Games that led to Fortnite being removed from the Google Play Store in 2020 began when Epic added a direct-payment system to its Android version of Fortnite that bypassed Google’s required billing system and mandatory commission on in-app purchases.
Google swiftly removed the game for violating its Play Store policies, prompting Epic to sue, arguing that Google’s app distribution and payment rules were monopolistic and denied competition.
This kicked off an arduous antitrust legal battle in U.S. courts, with Epic eventually winning rulings in 2025 that forced Google to relax restrictions and allow alternative payment options and third-party stores.
Fast forward to today, Android will implement more billing options, a program for registered app stores, and lower fees and new programs for developers. These three key points are a concerted effort to evolve Android's business model and "build on our long history of openness globally."
In response, Epic will be "investing robustly in serving developers and gamers with the Epic Games Store for Android." Epic also announced a special deal with Google that will see the two companies develop a new class of apps they are calling "metaverse browsers."
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.
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) March 4, 2026
Tim Sweeney did not confirm an exact date for Fortnite's return to the Google Play Store. However, he hinted that the Epic Games Store will continue supporting Android and that "installation on Android will become much easier later in 2026."