Fortnite Removed from Mobile App Stores as Epic Prepares to Launch Its Own Store

In anticipation of its digital store launch, Epic Games has begun removing Fortnite and other games from mobile app stores on iOS and Android. The company announced it is ending partnerships with stores that do not fairly serve all developers. Epic cited concerns over side-loading restrictions on Samsung devices as a reason for pulling its games from the Samsung Galaxy store. Additionally, the company referenced Google's alleged attempts to limit competition in the Android app market. Epic's mobile games will be available on AltStore in the EU and other third-party stores soon. The upcoming Epic Game Store will charge developers a 12% payment processing fee, unless they use an external payment system. The store is set to launch in the EU on iOS and Android this year and in the UK on iOS by the second half of 2025.