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 various brands. This means users of O2 (UK), Movistar, and Vivo (other 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 countries and brands, provides Epic with immediate access to a vast potential user base. The EGS will now compete directly with Google Play as a default app store on these devices.

Convenience: A Key Factor

A significant hurdle for third-party app stores is user convenience. Many casual users remain unaware of, or unconcerned with, alternatives to pre-installed options. This partnership directly addresses this challenge, placing the EGS among default options for users in key markets including Spain, the UK, Germany, Latin America, and beyond.

This agreement marks only the beginning of the Epic Games and Telefónica collaboration. Their previous partnership in 2021 brought a digital recreation of the O2 Arena into Fortnite.

For Epic Games, embroiled in legal battles with Apple and Google, this represents a significant strategic advancement. This move has the potential for substantial future rewards, benefiting both Epic and, hopefully, its users.