Fortnite Will Return to iOS in EU Soon, Exits Samsung Galaxy Store

Epic Games announced plans to relaunch Fortnite on Apple’s iOS devices in the European Union (EU). In a July 25th, 2024 blog post, the company shared updates on its mobile store strategy, including launching games via third-party iOS App Stores and ending distribution partnerships with stores following anticompetitive policies, such as the Samsung Galaxy Store.

We’ve announced our new strategy for bringing Epic’s games to mobile stores: not only the soon-to-launch Epic Games Store for mobile, but also other independent mobile stores that give all developers a fair deal, including https://t.co/wX14FI47KZ.https://t.co/mp3lq3fFbc

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) July 25, 2024

In the blog post, Epic revealed plans to launch in the EU via AltStore PAL, an iOS app store, and expects to support “at least two other third-party stores soon.” Additionally, Epic disclosed its plans to bring the Epic Games Store app to Android globally and to iOS in the EU.

Although the company did not provide specific timelines for the third-party mobile store launch, it stated that the strategy aims to bring its mobile games to “other mobile stores that give all developers a great deal.” Epic also revealed its planned fee structure, charging developers a 12% store fee for payments processed by Epic and 0% for third-party payments.

This announcement is significant, given the ongoing feud between Epic and major mobile storefronts like Apple and Google over app store fees and commission policies.

In addition to the iOS relaunch, Epic announced plans to end distribution partnerships with mobile stores it described as “rent collectors” that engage in anticompetitive practices and unfair treatment of developers, even if these stores offer special deals to Epic for its games.

Consequently, Epic revealed that it will pull Fortnite and its other games from the Samsung Galaxy Store. According to the company, the decision was based on two factors: Samsung’s anticompetitive move to block side-loading by default on Samsung Android devices, and revelations from the US Epic v. Google lawsuit about Google’s proposals to Samsung to limit competition in the Android app distribution market.