Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney made an announcement that Fortnite and its other games have been taken off Samsung’s Galaxy Store. This decision was made in response to Samsung’s implementation of a new security feature called Auto Blocker, which prevents sideloading of apps on Galaxy devices. Sideloading refers to the installation of apps from sources other than official app stores like the Galaxy Store or Play Store.
For users who had previously downloaded Fortnite through the Galaxy Store, Epic Games will continue to provide support. However, new users will not be able to access Fortnite through the Galaxy Store on their Galaxy smartphones and tablets. Tim Sweeney emphasized that Epic Games will maintain full support for Samsung devices despite the removal from the Galaxy Store.
With the introduction of One UI 6.0, Samsung included the Auto Blocker feature, which blocks sideloading of apps on Galaxy devices. This feature aims to protect users from potential risks associated with downloading apps from unofficial sources. In One UI 6.1.1, Samsung enabled Auto Blocker by default, requiring users to manually disable it if they wish to sideload apps like Fortnite.
Tim Sweeney expressed concerns that Auto Blocker hinders users from installing alternative app stores, echoing Epic Games’ ongoing legal battles with Apple and Google over app store policies. Following Fortnite’s removal from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, the Galaxy Store had been one of the few remaining platforms where users could access the game on smartphones.
To disable the Auto Blocker feature on Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets, users can navigate to Settings, then Privacy and Security, and finally Auto Blocker to turn off the toggle. This will allow users to download Fortnite directly from Epic Games’ official website. However, it remains unclear whether the game will require manual updates or if it can automatically update to the latest version.
Samsung has yet to respond to Epic Games’ decision to remove Fortnite from the Galaxy Store. As the situation unfolds, users can expect continued support for Epic Games on Samsung devices, albeit through alternative means of installation. By understanding how to disable the Auto Blocker feature, users can still enjoy Fortnite on their Galaxy devices despite its absence from the Galaxy Store.
