Is Fortnite banned on Android?

Fortnite, the popular online multiplayer battle royale game developed by Epic Games, has had a tumultuous relationship with Google and the Android platform. Here is a quick look at whether or not Fortnite is currently banned on Android devices.

Quick Answer

Yes, Fortnite is currently banned from the Google Play Store on Android devices. However, Android users can still download and play Fortnite by sideloading the Epic Games app or APK. So while not available on the Play Store, Fortnite is not completely banned on the Android platform.

What Happened Between Fortnite and Google?

Fortnite was removed from the Google Play Store in August 2020 after Epic Games introduced a direct payment option on mobile devices, which allowed players to purchase in-game currency directly from Epic rather than through the Play Store. This violated Google’s policies requiring the use of Google Play’s in-app billing system for in-app purchases, leading to Fortnite’s removal.

Epic Games filed a lawsuit against Google shortly after, alleging anti-competitive behavior for requiring developers to use Google’s payment system. This kicked off a lengthy legal battle between Epic and Google that is still ongoing.

Why Was Fortnite Banned on Android?

Fortnite was banned from the Google Play Store specifically because Epic Games violated Google’s terms of service by adding their own direct payment option. This allowed Epic to avoid paying Google’s commission on in-app purchases, which Google requires from apps distributed through the Play Store.

By adding direct payments, Epic was able to offer lower prices to players by avoiding Google’s 30% cut of revenue. However, this violated Google’s policies and led to Fortnite’s removal from the Play Store.

Is Fortnite Completely Banned on Android?

No, Fortnite is not completely banned on Android devices. While no longer available on the Google Play Store, Android users can still download and play Fortnite in a couple of ways:

  • Directly from Epic Games – Android users can download the Epic Games app from the Epic Games website to access Fortnite and other Epic titles.
  • Sideloading the APK – The Fortnite APK can be downloaded and sideloaded onto Android devices, allowing installation outside of the Play Store.

These alternative installation methods mean that Fortnite is still playable on Android, despite the ban from Google’s app store.

What Does This Mean for Android Users?

For most Android users, the biggest impact is that Fortnite cannot be downloaded directly from the Google Play Store anymore. Players have to go through Epic or use sideloading to install the game.

Sideloading apps carries some risks, as apps installed outside the Play Store are not vetted by Google for malware or other threats. However, the Epic Games app and Fortnite APK come directly from Epic, so they are safe to install.

Beyond that extra installation step, the gameplay experience remains largely the same. Epic continues to update and support the Android version of Fortnite even as the legal issues with Google remain unresolved.

Will Fortnite Ever Return to the Play Store?

It is unlikely that Fortnite will return to the Google Play Store anytime soon. Epic Games is still engaged in lawsuits against Google surrounding app store policies, making a return unlikely while the legal battle is ongoing.

However, if Epic and Google eventually come to a resolution, such as an agreement to allow alternative payment systems, it is possible Fortnite could return to the Play Store after meeting policy requirements.

But given the prolonged lawsuits and animosity between the companies, Fortnite may be banned from Android’s primary app store for the foreseeable future.

Is Fortnite Banned on iOS Devices?

For comparison, Fortnite is also banned on iOS devices after a similar direct payment dispute between Epic and Apple. However, iOS users have no alternative installation options.

Apple’s tight control over the iOS ecosystem means apps can only be installed through the App Store. With no way to sideload apps, iOS users have lost access to Fortnite entirely.

This highlights a key difference between Android and iOS – Android’s openness allows sideloading banned apps, while iOS’s walled garden completely blocks anything barred by Apple.

Conclusion

In summary:

  • Fortnite was removed from the Google Play Store in August 2020 for violating in-app purchase policies.
  • Epic Games introduced direct payments on mobile to bypass Google’s commission, spurring the ban.
  • Fortnite remains playable on Android via sideloading the app or APK.
  • The legal disputes between Epic and Google make a Play Store return unlikely anytime soon.
  • On iOS, there are no workarounds and Fortnite is completely banned.

While no longer available on Google’s Play Store, Fortnite still lives on for Android users willing to install it through alternative methods. The Epic vs Google legal battle continues to play out, but Android’s openness preserves access to the popular game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fortnite still playable on Android devices?

Yes, Fortnite is still playable on Android devices despite being banned from the Google Play Store. Players can download the Epic Games app or sideload the Fortnite APK to install the game on Android.

Is there any way for iOS users to play Fortnite?

No, iOS users have no way to install or play Fortnite since it was banned from the App Store. Unlike Android, iOS does not allow sideloading apps from outside sources.

What happened when Epic Games added direct payments to Fortnite?

When Epic introduced the ability to make in-app purchases directly through Epic on mobile, it violated Google and Apple policies. Both companies removed Fortnite from their respective app stores for bypassing their payment systems.

Is Google legally allowed to ban Fortnite from the Play Store?

Yes, Google has the right under its terms of service to ban apps that violate its Play Store policies. However, Epic alleges Google is abusing market dominance to stifle competition, which is disputed by Google.

Could Fortnite come back to the Play Store if Epic and Google settle?

Possibly, if Google and Epic reach an agreement allowing alternative payment systems, Fortnite could theoretically meet policy requirements and return to the Play Store. But a settlement seems unlikely given the ongoing litigation.

Player Statistics

Platform Monthly Active Users
PS4 15 million
Xbox One 10 million
Switch 8 million
Mobile 15 million
PC 10 million

This table shows the number of monthly active Fortnite players across platforms. PlayStation 4 has the most users, followed by mobile and Xbox One. These numbers indicate Fortnite’s massive popularity across platforms, even after being banned from app stores on mobile devices.

Timeline of Events

  • July 2017 – Fortnite: Battle Royale is released
  • March 2018 – Fortnite comes to iOS
  • April 2018 – Fortnite comes to Android outside of Google Play Store
  • August 2018 – Fortnite offered on Google Play Store
  • August 2020 – Direct payments introduced; Fortnite banned on iOS and Android app stores
  • August 2020 – Epic Games sues Google and Apple over app store bans and policies
  • January 2022 – Epic appeals ruling in Apple lawsuit
  • Present – Fortnite remains banned on iOS; banned but accessible on Android

This timeline provides an overview of the major events related to Fortnite’s release, distribution on mobile platforms, bans from app stores, and Epic’s ongoing lawsuits against Google and Apple.

How to Install Fortnite on Android

Here are step-by-step instructions for installing Fortnite on Android devices despite the ban from the Google Play Store:

Method 1: Install via Epic Games App

  1. Open your Android device’s web browser and go to epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/download.
  2. Tap on “Download Epic Games App” to download the APK file for the Epic Games app.
  3. Open your device’s Downloads folder and tap the Epic Games APK file to install it.
  4. Open the Epic Games app and sign into your Epic account, or create a new account.
  5. Search for Fortnite and tap Install to download the game.
  6. Fortnite will now install from the Epic Games app.

Method 2: Install via Sideloaded APK

  1. On your device’s web browser, search for and download the Fortnite APK file from a reputable site.
  2. Open your device’s Downloads folder and tap the Fortnite APK file to begin installation.
  3. Your device will prompt you to allow installation from unknown sources. Enable this setting.
  4. The installation process will complete and Fortnite will appear on your device.

By following one of these methods, Android users can bypass the Play Store ban and continue enjoying Fortnite. The gameplay experience remains full-featured, despite Google and Epic’s ongoing disputes.

The Future of Fortnite on Mobile

The outlook for Fortnite returning to the App Store and Play Store remains grim while legal battles drag on. Epic seems committed to fighting for alternative payment options, while Google and Apple seem determined to enforce their store policies strictly.

On Android specifically, it seems likely Fortnite will remain accessible indefinitely through sideloading, unless Google is able to restrict alternative installation methods. The open Android ecosystem guarantees the game has a future, even if banned from the Play Store.

On iOS, there is little hope of Fortnite returning without major policy changes or legal intervention. Apple tightly controls app distribution on iOS, blocking any workarounds.

Fortnite’s popularity remains strong on gaming consoles and PC. The mobile bans are an irritant for Epic, but have not severely impacted the game’s success. However, the implications of the lawsuits are broad, and could dictate the future app store policies governing all mobile developers.

In summary, Fortnite’s future on open platforms like Android seems secure, while the game has little chance of returning to restrictive platforms like iOS. The Epic vs Apple/Google lawsuits appear destined to drag on indefinitely, keeping the focus on mobile app marketplace policies for the foreseeable future.

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