The whole release of Fortnite for Android outside of the Google Play eco-system has caused some consternation over security. To ensure everyone knows it seems Google has taken steps to advise people the app is not available on Google Play when they search for it.
When searching for Fortnite in Google Play on your Android device (Note: this doesn’t appear on Google Play on the web), you’ll now be presented with a message from Google advising you that the app is not available on Google Play.
Epic Games announced during the launch of the Galaxy Note9 that Fortnite is now available to download for selected Galaxy devices including the Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S9 and S9+, Galaxy S8 and S8+, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Tab S3, and the newly announced Galaxy Tab S4. Other Android devices including the Pixel 2/Pixel 2 XL, a range of LG phones including the G5/G6/G7 and V20/V30, OnePlus 5/5T/6,Razer’s gaming Phone and the Essential phone will eventually have access.
The message doesn’t actually tell users where they can ‘safely’ download the game, nor the status of the game as a beta, and as an exclusive for Samsung devices for the time being.
There are currently two places that you can go to either download Fortnite, or at least sign up to be included in the Beta launch. The first is easy for owners of compatible Galaxy phones who can simply download it from the Galaxy Apps store. The second is through the Epic Games website where if you don’t have a compatible phone you’ll simply be signed up to the Beta.
With the game not available on Google Play, it’s highly recommended that you don’t simply install any APKs from unknown sources. Google will protect you to a certain extent, but don’t make it harder on yourself and go searching for random APKs. Fortnite will be available eventually, you just have to be patient.
