Fortnite Returns to U.S. Google Play Store After 5 Years

• Fortnite returns to Google Play in the US after a five-year absence.
• Epic and Google are moving towards a court-approved settlement, terms yet to be disclosed.
• Amidst Fortnite’s return, the Ninth Circuit partially reverses sanctions placed on Apple in Epic’s separate antitrust dispute.

Epic Games' enormously popular battle royale title Fortnite is now available again in the U.S. Google Play Store. Google has agreed with a District Court ruling of the country, allowing the game to return, as revealed by the game and its publisher on Dec 12, 2025, on X.

Google's reversal marks the end of a significant antitrust case that began in 2020. That's when Epic implemented a direct payment system within Fortnite, bypassing Google's billing infrastructure. The move resulted in the game's removal from the Play Store and federal prosecution over app store fees and distribution guidelines.

Epic's X statement said that it is working together with Google to seek court approval of a settlement negotiated between the two companies. Currently, the particular terms of the negotiation have been kept confidential. The studio stated that Fortnite's return outside of the United States has not yet been announced, and urged gamers to "stay tuned" for international rollout specifics.

Epic vs. Google: Broader Platform Rulings and Ripple Effects

The legal developments affecting Fortnite are not restricted to Android. At the same time, a U.S. appeals court, the Ninth Circuit, partially reversed sanctions imposed on Apple in Epic's independent antitrust dispute. This is the same court which upheld the permanent injunction on Google around mid-2025 in the Epic-Google case.

Epic's 2020 lawsuit challenged Apple's monopoly over iOS app distribution and in-app payments, resulting in a 2021 injunction. The Fortnite publisher also accused Apple of violating the ruling after it imposed a 27% commission on developers for external transactions. Meanwhile, Apple still charges a 15% to 30% commission for purchases made directly through the App Store. The court affirmed the crucial contempt against the iPhone maker while also reducing sections of a previous ruling that judges deemed excessively broad.

The district court initially completely banned Apple from collecting commissions, but the Ninth Court believes that Apple could still charge a reasonable commission. The ruling reportedly provided some general guidelines for the district court to determine a reasonable commission on external payment systems for the use of its IP.

What Does This Mean for Players and Developers?

Fortnite's return to the Play Store brings an end to a five-year period in which the game could only be installed through third-party sideloading or Epic's own launcher.

For developers, the broader consequences reach into the way how app stores negotiate royalties, payment mechanisms, and competitive access. Epic's lawsuit has been a focal point in disputes about platform transparency and antitrust enforcement in digital markets.