Epic Games has achieved thisIt hasn’t been an easy road, but without a doubt we have to acknowledge the tenacity shown, especially in relation to her conflict with Apple. It is of course true that in the latter case the victory is partial as it is only limited to a specific territory… although with moves both legal and regulatory in other markets, all indications are that we will see this spread into new regions sooner rather than later .

Let’s remember that Just a few days ago, it was four years since Fortnite was kicked out of the Android and iOS app storesaction taken by Apple and Google after Epic Games included payment options in its game that bypassed the iOS App Store and Google Play payment platforms, violating the legal terms set by both technologies for publishing software in those stores. Stores that, as you know, are official of both platforms and have commissions that have been a source of controversy for a long time due to their high amount (although with exceptions, we must remember that too).

This exclusion You will recall that this resulted in a long and notorious trialin which Epic Games initially condemned Apple and Google, but in which those from Cupertino also subsequently decided to file their own lawsuit against those from Fortnite. And while we’ve already seen several rulings in this regard, rulings that each side has publicly interpreted as their success, some appeals with an uncertain outcome remain to be resolved.

In any case, Epic Games already announced this some time ago His intention was to revert to both operating systemsbut not through their official app stores, with the above commissions. No, his plans were more ambitious as they involved developing his own app store for Android and iOS. A goal that in the first case seemed much simpler than in the second, but thanks to a regulatory change in the European Union, it became feasible even on the old continent.

I’m talking about, you know, DMA and Apple’s inclusion in the list portersomething that made those from Cupertino to they allow third-party stores to come to iOS, among many other thingsthus ending one of the pillars of the walled garden that has been this operating system since its very birth. Since the beginning of March this year, although with rather demanding conditions, developers and distributors can now create their own stores and allow them to be installed on the iPhone.

Although he announced this earlier, a few days after publication iOS 17.4, the first version of the operating system that already allows the installation of third-party stores in the European UnionEpic Games has confirmed that its store will be coming to both the aforementioned iOS and Android throughout 2024. Of course, its plans were about to be cut short, as Apple arbitrarily decided to cancel Epic’s developer account practically at the same time as the release of iOS 17.4. By luck or duress yes, luckily he reversed course and rehabilitated her a few days later.

So we’ve known since the beginning of the year that the arrival of the Epic Games Store on Android and iOS would happen this year, albeit without knowing when, and we didn’t have news about it again until early last month, Epic itself has confirmed that its app store has already satisfactorily passed all checks and consequently had at last nihil exist from those of Cupertino.

and meanwhile What happened to its Android version? Well, in this case, the process is terribly easier, because, as you know, the Google operating system has always allowed both sideloading of applications and the installation and use of third-party stores. So much so that, in fact, Epic Games has not released the Android store until now only by its own decision, simultaneously with the launch of the iOS store, because in reality it could have launched much earlier.

This important difference between the two OSes is also prominently visible in the process of installing the store in both operating systems, as you will see below.

Install the Epic Games Store on iOS

The first thing before proceeding with the installation is to make sure that your operating system is updated to version 17.6 or later (the latest, at the time of writing this article, is 17.6.1), otherwise you will not be able to complete the process. Once this check is complete and if you need to update your iOS, go to this link. In it, and depending on the browser you are accessing from, you may see the information needed for installation or you may be told that the browser is not compatible and you will be offered to copy the link to the clipboard that you will have to open from Safari.

Now, with the correct web page open in the correct browser, instructions will be displayed on how to complete the installation process. Then click on “Install” and you will immediately get a message that you cannot do this installation with the current configuration. Don’t worry, this is normal, click “Ok” and then the “Back to previous step” link, which will take you back to the requirements page.

Even if you think nothing has changed, it actually has. Now exit your browser, go to Settings and you will see a message at the top that says Authorize apps from “Epic Games Inc. Open it, tap Authorize, then return to Safari. There you will find what you are left with, a page with an install button. But now when you press it (you have to do it again of course) a new window will pop up asking you to confirm if you want to do it. And as it is exactly in this case, tap on Install App Store and that’s it, within seconds you will have Epic Games Store available on your iPhone.

Install Epic Games Store on Android

As you might have guessed, the process is much simpler on Android. Just go to this link and confirm the download and installation. Of course, depending on the configuration of your smartphone, you may need to make some adjustments as described on this page. After a few confirmations, the store will be ready.