Fortnite maker Epic Games settles antitrust case against Samsung

In Brief

Fortnite maker Epic Games has settled its antitrust case against Samsung, according to a court filing. The case, filed last September, accused Samsung of working with Google to block rival app stores by default on Samsung phones.

“We’re dismissing our court case against Samsung following the parties’ discussions,” Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said in a post on X. He added, “We are grateful that Samsung will address Epic’s concerns.”

An Epic spokesperson declined further comment, pointing to Sweeney’s post. Samsung and Google did not respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment.

Epic had alleged in the lawsuit that Samsung’s “Auto Blocker” feature, which blocked downloads outside of the Google Play Store and Samsung Galaxy Store, was a coordinated effort to block competition in app distribution.

At the time, Google called Epic’s legal action “meritless,” saying, “Android device makers are free to take their own steps to keep their users safe and secure.” Samsung said it planned to “vigorously contest Epic Game’s baseless claims.”

The settlement comes almost a year after Epic launched its own mobile app store to distribute both its own games and third-party titles.

Before suing Samsung, Epic won a separate antitrust case against Google in 2023 over claims that Google’s app store practices constituted an illegal monopoly. A judge ordered Google to open its app store to rivals, though a decision on Google’s appeal is still pending.