Epic Games partners with Telefónica to pre-install Fortnite and the Epic Games Store on Android

Epic Games has partnered with telecoms company Telefónica to make Fortnite and Epic Games Store pre-installed apps on Android devices. 

The deal extends to 2025 and includes compatible Android devices on Telefónica's network in Spain, the UK, Germany, and Spanish-speaking Latin America. 

Epic said that players will soon be able to download third-party games in addition to its own apps, such as Fortnite and Rocket League Sideswipe. 

Telefónica is one of the largest global telecommunications providers operating in Europe and Latin America, serving over 390 million customers. 

Simplifying access to games 

“With this collaboration with Epic Games we strengthen our relationship and go one step further in delivering high-quality, accessible and innovative digital experiences to our customers," said Telefónica's director of partnerships and devices Lorena Itziar Senador-Gómez Lázaro. 

Epic Games director of growth partnerships Michael Modon added: “Thanks to our partnership with Telefónica, players will now be able to access the Epic Games Store, Fortnite and soon games from third-party developers directly on their Android device. We look forward to expanding our collaboration with Telefónica to bring even more benefits to players."

Epic said Telefónica is the first mobile carrier to introduce Direct Carrier Billing in the Epic Games Store. Both companies also collaborated on an interactive music experience in Fortnite at the O2 Arena during the pandemic, attracting over 10.8 million players.