Fortnite is once again available on Google Play worldwide, marking the end of a lengthy dispute between developer Epic Games and major app store platforms.

The popular battle royale game has returned as a free download on Android devices through Google Play, coinciding with the launch of its latest in-game season, Fortnite Showdown. The global rollout follows earlier steps that saw the title reappear on the US version of Google Play late last year and return to Apple’s App Store in May.

Fortnite was originally removed from both Google Play and the App Store in August 2020 after Epic Games introduced its own payment system for in-game purchases. This move bypassed the standard commission structure required by both platforms, triggering the removal of the game and the beginning of a high-profile legal battle.

Epic challenged both companies in court, arguing that their app store policies were restrictive and unfair to developers. The case ran for several years and ultimately led to changes in how digital marketplaces operate.

As a result of the rulings, developers are now allowed to offer alternative payment methods within apps, often with lower commission fees compared with the traditional systems used by app stores. The changes have also reduced restrictions around how developers present these options to users.

Fortnite’s return signals a new phase in the relationship between major platforms and developers, with the game once again accessible through official app stores rather than requiring separate downloads.

The relaunch also highlights how the outcome of the legal dispute has reshaped the broader mobile app ecosystem, giving developers more flexibility in how they distribute and monetise their content.