The Epic Games Store is finally live for Android (and iOS) smartphones. This dedicated game store from Epic Games lets you install Fall Guys, Fortnite and Rocket League Sideswipe on your Galaxy smartphone and tablet. A few weeks ago, Epic Games removed Fortnite from the Galaxy Store to protest Samsung’s restrictions on sideloading apps.

Epic Games Store brings some excellent games to Android phones and tablets

A few hours ago, Epic Games announced that it has launched the Epic Games Store for Android (worldwide) and iOS devices (only in the EU). Currently, the Epic Games Store only lists Fall Guys, Fortnite, and Rocket League Sideswipe, but eventually apps and games from other developers will be offered as well. Fall Guys and Fortnite both support all 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 attempting to circumvent Apple and Google’s in-app purchase policies for Fortnite’s in-game currency, V-Bucks. Since then, Epic Games has been battling Apple and Google in court, arguing that these companies illegally restrict 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 on apps, games, and in-app purchases. Both also prohibit developers from directing users from their app to their own website for in-app purchases. After years of litigation 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 has loosened its restrictions and allowed app and game developers to direct their users to their websites for in-app purchases.

In the EU, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) was passed, forcing Apple to allow third-party app stores for iOS and iPadOS. The Epic Games Store will charge developers a maximum of 12% commission, which is less than half of what Apple and Google charge. The CEO of Epic Games says this will force Apple and Google to lower their commissions.

How do I install the Epic Games Store on a Galaxy phone and tablet?

To install the Epic Games Store on your Galaxy smartphone or tablet, follow the steps below.

1. Go to Epic.Download using the web browser (preferably Google Chrome or Samsung Internet) on your smartphone.
2. Click the button ‘Installing on Android‘ button.
3. You will see a popup saying “The file could be harmful.” Tap the ‘Download anyway‘ button in this pop-up window.
4. Once the download is complete, a small notification will appear at the top of the screen. Tap the “Open‘ button on this notification.
5. You will now see another pop-up window with the message “For security reasons, your phone is currently not allowed to install apps from this source.” Knock Settings and then activate the Allow from this source Switch that you see on the screen.
6. You will now see another pop-up window asking if you want to install the Epic Games Store. Tap Install.
7. Once the installation is complete, open the Epic Games Store from the app drawer and log in to your Epic Games account.
8. To install any app from the Epic Games Store, tap the Install Button.
9. You will now see another pop-up window. In this window, tap Settings and then enable the Allow from this source Switch that you see on the screen.
10. Finally, a new pop-up window will ask if you want to install the game. Tap Installand the game will be downloaded and installed on your Galaxy phone or tablet.

Watch the video below to better understand this lengthy process.

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 allowing us to launch the Epic Games Store and enable us to offer our games to iOS users in the European Union. Now European iOS users and all Android users can access our store and games as they have always been able to on open platforms like PC and Mac. The battle is far from over, but this is tangible progress for developers and consumers, who can now benefit from competition and choice.”