Epic Games Store is not merely “coming” to Android. Epic launched it worldwide on August 16, 2024, and its Android page says it is available wherever local law permits. The confirmed pre-installation agreement is with Telefónica-network devices in selected markets—not Samsung Galaxy phones generally. Google’s 2026 app-store remedies may make competing stores easier to distribute, but they do not require Samsung to bundle Epic.
What is actually available today?
Epic Games Store is a free Android app marketplace offering Epic titles including Fortnite, Fall Guys and Rocket League Sideswipe, alongside plans for a wider catalog. Epic’s current Android page lists worldwide availability except where restricted by law: Epic Games Store for Android.
That is different from an app being factory-installed. Android users who do not receive a carrier or manufacturer bundle must download the store from Epic and approve Android’s installation prompts.
Which phones have confirmed pre-installation?
On December 12, 2024, Epic announced a deal with Telefónica to pre-install Fortnite and Epic Games Store on compatible Android phones sold through Telefónica networks. The stated markets are Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany and Spanish-speaking Latin America: Epic–Telefónica announcement.
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The arrangement is tied to eligible carrier devices and setup flows, not every Android phone in those countries. A December 20, 2024 update said O2 customers in Germany could choose pre-installation during smartphone setup. “Choose during setup” therefore does not necessarily mean an unavoidable factory-installed app.
Are Samsung Galaxy phones included?
No general Samsung pre-installation agreement has been confirmed in the official material available for this article. The Telefónica announcement cannot be extended to Samsung’s entire Galaxy range: a carrier partnership and an original-equipment-manufacturer bundle are different arrangements.
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Epic has also had a separate dispute with Samsung over the default-on Auto Blocker setting, which can make installing apps from outside approved stores more difficult. Epic announced that its games would leave the Galaxy Store, and its current support article tells Samsung owners to download the Epic Games app from Epic’s website rather than Samsung’s store: Epic’s mobile-store strategy and Epic’s Samsung support guidance.
Samsung users can still install the store manually. The absence of a Galaxy Store listing is not the same as Samsung making Epic impossible to install, and it is not evidence that every Galaxy phone will ship with Epic preloaded.
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How to install Epic Games Store on a Samsung or other Android phone
- Open Epic’s Android page in the phone’s web browser.
- Tap Install in the upper-right corner.
- Choose Install on Android.
- Follow the installer’s prompts.
- If Android displays a security warning, open the requested settings and allow the installation from that source, then return to the installer.
- Complete installation and sign in to your Epic account.
Exact menu names vary across Android versions, Samsung One UI releases, regions and security settings. Epic’s step-by-step guide is at Epic’s Android installation instructions. Only approve an installer obtained from Epic’s official domain.
What Google’s antitrust case changes
The legal developments affect distribution rules, not a guaranteed Samsung product bundle. Google’s U.S. Play policy page says its third-party app-store programs took effect on July 22, 2026. It describes onboarding for eligible third-party stores, access to app listings and programs covering external links and alternative billing: Google Play policy update.
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For users, those measures could make competing stores easier to discover, install or connect with Google Play’s catalog in the United States. They do not mean every Android phone will show Epic during setup, that every developer will publish through Epic, or that Samsung must pre-install it. Device makers, carriers, store participation, regional rules and security configuration still matter.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.The legal timeline, without the “still on stay” shortcut
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| December 2023 | A jury found Google liable in Epic’s U.S. Play Store antitrust case. |
| October 7, 2024 | The district court issued a permanent injunction. |
| August 1, 2025 | The Ninth Circuit stayed the injunction pending appeal. |
| July 31, 2025 | The Ninth Circuit upheld the core judgment. |
| September 12, 2025 | The court denied Google’s motion for a further stay and modified compliance deadlines. Its order is available at Law.justia.com. |
| March 4, 2026 | Epic and Google announced a worldwide settlement framework and asked the district court to consider a revised injunction: Epic’s announcement. |
| July 22, 2026 | Google said its U.S. third-party-store and catalog-access programs were in effect. |
Calling the case simply “still on stay” is inaccurate. The stay history involved a particular injunction and particular appellate deadlines. The 2026 settlement announcement and proposed revised injunction should not be described as a fully final court-entered resolution unless a later court order is verified.
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Compatibility, storage and regional limits
Epic’s current Android storefront lists these requirements:
- Minimum: Android 8, or SDK 26.
- Recommended: Android 14, or SDK 34.
- Store app size: approximately 25 MB.
- Availability: worldwide except locations restricted by applicable law.
Epic advertises 5%–20% back through Epic Rewards on eligible purchases. Individual games can require newer software, more storage or more capable hardware than the store app itself.
Epic’s separate support page currently displays an SDK 24-or-later threshold, which conflicts with the newer storefront page. Treat Android 8/SDK 26 as the current landing-page requirement, but check the live installer for device-specific compatibility: Epic’s support requirements page.
What users should expect
- Android users can install Epic Games Store now; they do not need to wait for a future Android launch.
- Some eligible Telefónica-network devices may offer pre-installation in the announced regions.
- Samsung-wide bundling remains unverified, and the Galaxy Store is not Epic’s documented distribution route.
- Google’s U.S. policy changes may improve store discovery, payments and catalog access, but they do not guarantee a preloaded Epic app.
- Installing from outside Google Play can trigger security warnings, and multiple stores may create separate update, notification and account-management flows.
Fortnite’s return to Google Play worldwide on March 19, 2026 is also separate from whether Epic Games Store is bundled on Samsung phones: Epic’s Fortnite announcement.
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