Epic Games Store to come preinstalled on Android Telefónica devices

Epic Games and Telefónica Partner to Pre-install Epic Games Store on Android Devices

Epic Games has forged a significant partnership with Telefónica, a major telecommunications operator. This collaboration will result in the pre-installation of the Epic Games Store (EGS) on Android devices sold through Telefónica's network. This means users of O2 (UK), Movistar, and Vivo (various regions) will find the EGS readily available as a default app.

This seemingly small detail represents a substantial strategic move by Epic Games in expanding their mobile presence. Telefónica's global reach, encompassing numerous brands and dozens of countries, provides Epic with unprecedented access to a vast potential user base. The EGS will now compete directly with Google Play as a primary app marketplace on these Telefónica-distributed devices.

Convenience as a Key Factor

A primary hurdle for third-party app stores is user convenience. Many casual users are unaware of, or unconcerned with, alternatives to pre-installed options. Epic's strategic partnership directly addresses this challenge. By securing pre-installation as a default on devices sold in key markets such as Spain, the UK, Germany, and Latin America, Epic gains a significant competitive advantage.

This agreement marks only the initial phase of a long-term collaboration. Epic and Telefónica previously partnered on a digital experience integrating the O2 Arena (also known as the Millennium Dome) into Fortnite in 2021.

For Epic Games, embroiled in a protracted legal battle with Apple and Google, this partnership represents a considerable strategic advancement. It offers a potential pathway to broader market penetration and, hopefully, enhanced user benefits.