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 telecommunications giant Telefónica, resulting 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 (other regions) will find the EGS readily available as a default app.

This development shouldn't be underestimated. It's a strategic move by Epic Games to expand their mobile presence and deserves closer examination.

Telefónica's global reach, operating under various brands in numerous countries, makes this a substantial long-term partnership. The Epic Games Store will now be a standard feature alongside other app stores on Telefónica-branded devices.

This places the EGS directly alongside Google Play as a default app marketplace. Considering Epic's aggressive pursuit of market share, this could be a game-changer.

A key factor is convenience. Many users are unaware of, or simply unconcerned with, alternative app stores. This deal grants Epic a significant advantage by making their store a default option for users in Spain, the UK, Germany, Latin America, and beyond.

This collaboration marks only the beginning of the partnership. Epic and Telefónica previously collaborated on a digital experience featuring the O2 Arena in Fortnite (2021).

For Epic, embroiled in a protracted legal battle with Apple and Google, this represents a major breakthrough, potentially leading to further gains—and hopefully, a better experience for users.