Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more.
Epic accuses Google of crushing Fortnite deals with OnePlus, LG
July 03, 2025
Epic Games is suing both Google and Apple forremovingFortnite from their respective app stores. Now, details from Epic’s lawsuit filed against Google have come to light. The developer is alleging that Google crushed Epic’s deals with OnePlus and LG.
As pointed out byThe Verge, Epic’s filing states that Google “forced OnePlus” to back off from a deal to pre-install a special Fortnite launcher on its phones. Epic has also accused Google of preventing a similar deal with LG.
Epic claims that its deal with OnePlus was canceled after Google expressed “concern” over the developer offering an install method for Fortnite that bypassed the Play Store.
As per Epic’s original deal with OnePlus, a version of Fortnite with a “state-of-the-art framerate”was to be made available on OnePlus phones worldwide through the pre-installed special launcher. However, Epic claims Google “demanded that OnePlus not implement its agreement with Epic with the limited exception of mobile devices sold in India.”
Related:Here’s how to install Fortnite for Android
In LG’s case, the company apparently told Epic that it was under contract with Google to block “side downloading off Google Play Store this year.” This is why the developer claims that it was Google which “prevented LG from pre-installing the Epic Games app on LG devices.”
If these deals would have gone through, Epic says it “could and would negotiate with OEMs to make Fortnite and other Epic games directly available to consumers, free from Google’s anti-competitive restraints.” When the deals didn’t work out, Epic says it decided to give in and launchFortnite on the Play Store in April.
Google hasn’t made any comments regarding Epic’s accusations. However,Mishaal RahmanfromXDA-Developersindependently confirmed that OnePlus was indeed planning on preloading the Epic Games Store. He also pointed out that theOxygen OSOpen Beta 14 for the OnePlus 7 Pro in India actually had Epic Games Store pre-installed until the update was pulled.
Google also declined to comment whenThe Vergeinquired about the specifics of the OnePlus and LG deals.
Also read:The 15 best Android games available right now
Thank you for being part of our community. Read ourComment Policybefore posting.
