After several years of intense legal disputes, Epic Games and Google have officially reached a settlement.
The two technology giants have resolved their long-running conflict over the popular game Fortnite, a saga that originally began in 2020. As a key part of this agreement, Fortnite is slated to make its return to Google Play globally, with its reappearance expected by 2026.
Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games, confirmed this development on his Twitter/X account. He expressed gratitude to Google for reaching the agreement and reaffirmed that Fortnite will once again be available for direct download through the Android app store. Notably, Epic Games will also continue to support and operate its own Epic Games Store on the Android platform.
The dispute between the companies originated in 2020 when Epic Games implemented its own in-game payment system for Fortnite, designed to bypass the standard app store commissions. In retaliation, both Google Play and Apple’s App Store removed the game, leading to a series of high-profile lawsuits.
The landscape began to shift in 2025, influenced by several pivotal court decisions that had a significant impact on the operational rules of digital marketplaces. Following these changes, Fortnite already returned to Google Play in the U.S. in December 2025, after a five-year absence. The current agreement extends this return, anticipating the game’s availability to Android users across the globe.
A significant aspect of the settlement also pertains to modifications within the Android platform itself. Google is reportedly developing a registration program for third-party app stores, which aims to streamline and simplify their installation process on Android devices.
Furthermore, Google is overhauling its commission model for Google Play. Under the new system, payments made via Google Play Billing will incur a 5% commission in the U.S., EU countries, and the UK. For in-game purchases, the commission rate will fall within the 15-20% range, while subscriptions will be subject to a 10% fee. This updated system is scheduled for a phased rollout in select regions starting in June, with a global implementation anticipated by September 2027.