Epic Store Expands Reach with Android Telefónica Pre-Install

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 see the Epic Games Store (EGS) pre-installed on Android devices sold through Telefónica's various brands, including O2 (UK), Movistar, and Vivo in other regions.

This seemingly small detail represents a substantial strategic move by Epic Games. Telefónica's global reach, encompassing dozens of countries, means the EGS will become a default app store option alongside Google Play for a significant number of new Android users.

Convenience: A Key Factor

A major hurdle for third-party app stores is user convenience. Many casual users are unaware of, or unconcerned with, alternatives to the pre-installed options on their phones. This partnership directly addresses this challenge, placing the EGS as a default option for users in key markets such as Spain, the UK, Germany, and Latin America.

This agreement marks only the initial phase of the Epic Games and Telefónica collaboration. Their previous joint venture involved a digital recreation of London's O2 Arena within Fortnite in 2021.

For Epic Games, currently navigating legal disputes with Apple and Google, this partnership provides a significant strategic advantage and potentially paves the way for future growth and increased user accessibility to their mobile game catalogue.