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Short answer: Epic’s current Android compatibility list includes the Galaxy S10, S10e and S10+ for native Fortnite at 60 FPS, and includes the U.S. Galaxy Note 9. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ are not on that current 60-FPS list. A Samsung GPU-driver problem reported in 2020 appears to have caused the missing 60-FPS option on some devices, but the exact driver version and final Samsung fix are no longer independently verifiable.
That means the old “Samsung driver fix” should not be treated as proof that every S9, Note 9 or S10 variant permanently supports 60 FPS today.
What actually broke in Fortnite?
The problem was not simply that Fortnite failed to launch. Owners reported a more specific failure: Fortnite worked, but the 60 FPS option disappeared from the Video settings after software or game changes.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThere are three separate questions:
- Can Fortnite launch? This only confirms basic compatibility.
- Does the 60 FPS selector appear? This reflects Epic’s current device and driver profile.
- Can the phone sustain close to 60 frames per second? This also depends on graphics settings, heat, battery and background activity.
In March 2020, an Epic staff statement preserved in a community archive reportedly attributed the problem to a Samsung driver issue and said Epic was working with Samsung to resolve it. The surviving source is a Reddit archive quoting the statement, rather than the original Epic support page, so the exact driver component, firmware build and final fix date cannot be confirmed. Archived discussion of the reported driver issue
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Was Android 10 the cause?
Android 10 updates and Fortnite changes were associated with the timing of the missing option in community reports. That makes Android or One UI updates a plausible trigger or contributing factor, but it does not prove that Android 10 alone caused the problem.
The strongest surviving attribution is the reported Epic acknowledgement of a driver compatibility issue. It remains unconfirmed whether the eventual correction came through Samsung firmware, a Fortnite update, a changed device whitelist, or a combination of those changes. Archived Android 10-era discussion
Current official 60-FPS support
Epic’s current native Android list, checked August 18, 2026, includes the Galaxy S10 family and the U.S. Galaxy Note 9. It does not include the Galaxy S9 or S9+. Being absent from the list is not absolute proof that no older Fortnite build could run at 60 FPS, but it means Epic does not currently publish the S9 as a native 60-FPS device.
Epic’s list is a support designation, not a promise of a locked frame rate. A supported phone can still lose frames when it becomes hot, runs demanding graphics settings or is affected by power-management limits. Epic’s current native 60-FPS Android list
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Model-by-model verdict
| Phone | Current official status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S10e | Listed | Native 60 FPS is supported by Epic’s current list, subject to the installed build and real-world conditions. |
| Galaxy S10 | Listed | Native 60 FPS is supported; sustained performance still depends on heat and settings. |
| Galaxy S10+ | Listed | Native 60 FPS is supported under the same qualifications. |
| U.S. Galaxy Note 9 | Listed | Epic specifically identifies the U.S. variant. |
| International Galaxy Note 9 | Not confirmed by the current listing | Do not generalize the U.S. result to international Exynos or other regional models. |
| Galaxy S9 and S9+ | Not listed currently | They historically supported Fortnite, but current native 60-FPS support is unconfirmed. |
Snapdragon and Exynos versions can differ in sustained performance even when Epic groups them under one phone family. Carrier firmware, model number, region and installed One UI version can also affect behavior. Older Samsung compatibility material included the S9/S9+, Note 9 and S10-era phones, but historical Fortnite compatibility does not establish current 60-FPS certification. Older Samsung Fortnite compatibility information
How to recover the 60-FPS option safely
- Update Samsung software. Open Settings → Software update → Download and install. Install the latest firmware offered for the exact model and region, then restart the phone.
- Update Fortnite. Use an official distribution route. Epic currently directs Samsung users to the Epic Games Store or Google Play, depending on availability in their region. Epic’s Samsung installation page
- Check the in-game setting. Open Fortnite and go to Settings → Video. Find Frame Rate and select 60 FPS if it is offered. Lowering graphics quality by itself will not necessarily make a missing option appear.
- Clear only the cache. Go to Settings → Apps → Fortnite → Storage → Clear cache, then reopen the game. Avoid Clear data unless you understand that local settings and app data may be removed.
- Reinstall from an official source if necessary. A corrupted installation can be removed and reinstalled through Epic’s official Android distribution or Google Play where available.
- Test while the phone is cool. Close background apps, temporarily remove a thick case and compare results with the same graphics and 3D-resolution settings. Test on battery and while charging separately, because charging can add heat and trigger throttling.
What about Samsung Motion smoothness?
Epic’s 120-FPS instructions tell owners of compatible high-refresh Samsung phones to use Settings → Display → Motion smoothness → Adaptive, then restart Fortnite. This is not a general 60-FPS unlock for the S9, S10 or Note 9, and these older models should not be presented as 120-FPS devices. Epic’s Samsung 120-FPS instructions
If 60 FPS appears but Fortnite still feels uneven
The selector is a target or cap, not a guarantee that every frame will arrive on time. If performance is unstable, reduce settings in this order:
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- Graphics quality.
- 3D resolution.
- Shadows and other available visual effects.
- Background apps, overlays and other activity.
Heat is especially important on older phones. A device may begin near 60 FPS and slow down after several matches as the processor and GPU throttle. Network latency can also make gameplay feel delayed, but ping does not directly determine the phone’s rendered frame rate.
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If the 60-FPS option disappears after an update
Possible explanations include a changed device whitelist, a newly detected driver incompatibility, a corrupted cache or configuration, regional firmware differences, thermal limits or a temporary Fortnite regression.
Before contacting Epic, record the Fortnite version, Android and One UI versions, exact model number, region or carrier firmware and whether the problem is a missing selector or unstable performance. That information distinguishes a compatibility-profile change from a performance problem.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do not use unofficial FPS unlockers
Do not root the phone solely to force Fortnite’s frame-rate setting. Avoid unofficial GPU-driver APKs, modified Fortnite configuration files, “GFX tools” and packages claiming to unlock 60 FPS. They are not evidence of an official fix and can create crashes, security risks, account problems or firmware damage.
Do not flash firmware from another model or region just to change Fortnite’s device profile. An in-game 60-FPS selector obtained through an unofficial modification also does not prove that the phone can render the game reliably at that rate.
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Native Fortnite versus cloud gaming
Cloud gaming is a fallback when a phone cannot obtain native 60 FPS. Epic identifies Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce NOW and Amazon Luna as Android cloud-gaming options. Cloud play can avoid local device compatibility limits, but it depends heavily on connection quality and adds streaming latency. It is not equivalent to native Fortnite rendering and is a poor fit for weak Wi-Fi, high-latency mobile data or strict data caps.
Epic’s Android and cloud-gaming information · Xbox Cloud Gaming · GeForce NOW · Amazon Luna
Final verdict
The Samsung driver problem was real enough to be reportedly acknowledged by Epic, but the public record does not document the exact driver release or prove a universal permanent fix across every affected phone.
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- Galaxy S10e, S10 and S10+: the strongest current case for native 60 FPS because Epic lists them officially.
- U.S. Galaxy Note 9: currently listed by Epic, but verify the exact model and regional firmware.
- International Galaxy Note 9: not covered by the U.S.-specific listing.
- Galaxy S9 and S9+: historically Fortnite-compatible, but not on Epic’s current native 60-FPS list. Check official updates and the in-game menu, but do not promise that a driver fix restored support.
If 60 FPS is essential and the option remains unavailable, cloud gaming or newer officially supported hardware is safer than forcing the setting with modified drivers or configuration tools.
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