How to install Fortnite on Android, and every phone that can play it
Not every phone can hop onboard the battle bus. These ones can.
Epic Games’ Fortnite is eating the world, and now the battle royale game (and occasional golf simulator) is finally coming to Android. Samsung Galaxy devices held exclusive access to the Fortnite beta for now, but Epic has started rolling out invites to owners of other phones as well.
Can your phone even play Fortnite for Android, though? The game requires some serious graphical horsepower despite its cartoonish looks.
If you’re an Android user and want to gain access to Fortnite, we have you covered here. Following our instructions, we also have a full list of phones that can play Fortnite on Android.
HOW TO PLAY FORTNITE ON ANDROID
To celebrate the launch of the Galaxy Note 9( go.pcworld.com/hon9), Samsung Galaxy owners can play the Fortnite beta right now. Anyone who has a Galaxy S7 or later, the Galaxy Note 8, or Galaxy Tab S3 or S4 will find a Fortnite icon in Samsung’s Game Launcher app. (You can find it in your app drawer.) Just tap it to start downloading the game.
If you preorder the Galaxy Note 9 via Samsung.com ( go.pcworld.com/prn9), the company will also give you a whopping 15,000 V-bucks ( go.pcworld.com/frvb) to use in Fortnite along with an exclusive Galaxy outfit. It’s pretty slick.
Everyone else must sign up for invitations to the beta, which will roll out in waves. Head over to the official Fortnite for Android page ( go.pcworld.com/ftbt) and register with your email. Epic will eventually send you an invitation email with instructions on how to install the game, which isn’t being distributed through the Google Play Store. Do not download anything claiming to be Fortnite in Google Play—it’s a scam.
You’ll need to download the Fortnite
Installer app. If you’re using default Android settings, you’ll see a warning about downloading and installing APKS from unknown sources. Confirm you’re on the Epic Games website (epicgames. com) before you download any files (an invitation scheme like this is bound to draw phishing schemes galore) and grant Chrome permission to do so. The Fortnite Installer will install; follow the on-screen prompts to finish installing Fortnite. When you’re done, be sure to revoke Chrome’s ability to download apps from unknown sources to stay as safe as possible.
WHAT ANDROID PHONES CAN PLAY FORTNITE
You’re going to need a fairly beefy phone to play Fortnite on Android. Epic says ( go. pcworld.com/epfq) these devices will be able to hop onboard the battle bus immediately after receiving an invitation. The good news: