Epic Games Store to be preinstalled on millions of phones
Epic Games is expanding its mobile footprint through a significant partnership with Telefónica. The telecommunications giant will begin preinstalling the Epic Games Store on new, compatible Android devices across its network, which services markets in Spain, the U.K., Germany, and Latin America.
This initiative represents the first time the Epic Games Store will come pre-loaded on consumer hardware, a move the company claims will reach “millions” of users. The integration aims to simplify access to popular titles such as Fortnite, Fall Guys, and Rocket League Sideswipe, with plans to incorporate third-party titles into the storefront over time.
Strategic Shift in the Android Ecosystem
The collaboration serves as a direct effort to diversify the mobile marketplace. In an official press release, Epic Games described the alliance as a way to foster a more competitive environment for Android users, granting them alternatives to traditional app distribution platforms.
Lorena Itziar Senador-Gómez Lázaro, director of Partnerships and Devices at Telefónica, noted that the deal builds upon a long-standing history between the two firms. “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,” she stated. The companies previously collaborated to introduce Direct Carrier Billing to the Epic Games Store.
Legal Context and Market Competition
The rollout arrives on the heels of major legal developments regarding mobile app distribution. Last year, a federal jury ruled in favor of Epic Games in its long-standing antitrust dispute with Google, identifying the Google Play Store and its billing system as an illegal monopoly.
Following that verdict, Judge James Donato issued a final ruling in October requiring Google to restructure its operations. The court order mandates that Google open its platform to competitors, providing Android users with greater freedom in how they acquire and install applications. This legal shift has paved the way for Epic to aggressively pursue partnerships that challenge the dominance of the Google Play Store and the iOS App Store.
Since launching its dedicated mobile store in August, Epic Games has been actively pursuing developer partnerships to expand its catalog. By securing pre-installation on Telefónica devices, the company is positioning itself to gain a significant foothold in the mobile gaming market.