Epic Games settles antitrust case against Samsung — a headline making waves in the global tech market this week. After months of legal tension, Epic Games has quietly ended its lawsuit accusing Samsung of restricting third-party app stores on Galaxy phones. This surprise settlement, coming just days before Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked event, could dramatically shift how Android users install apps outside Google Play.
📌 What Was the Antitrust Case About?
In September 2024, Epic Games filed an antitrust lawsuit in California federal court accusing Samsung of:
- Enabling a feature called Auto Blocker by default on Galaxy devices.
- Using Auto Blocker to block sideloaded apps and warn users about non-Samsung or non-Google Play downloads.
- Working with Google to protect Samsung’s own Galaxy Store and Google Play from new rivals like Epic Games Store.
Epic claimed these practices unfairly stopped consumers from downloading games directly and hurt competition
🧩 What’s in the Settlement?
Epic Games dropped all claims against Samsung. While the exact settlement terms remain undisclosed, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said Samsung agreed to make changes to address the concerns raised:
- Samsung may no longer block or actively warn users installing the Epic Games Store.
- Users could see simpler options to allow third-party stores.
- Samsung might add exceptions or whitelists for trusted app stores theverge
Important: The lawsuit against Google, covering broader Android app store practices, continues
📱 Why This Matters: 5 Big Changes Ahead
1️⃣ Easier sideloading on Samsung devices
Samsung controls around 20% of the global smartphone market. Removing blockers or warnings could unlock millions of devices for alternative app stores.
2️⃣ Pressure on other Android brands
If Samsung, the largest Android manufacturer, loosens restrictions, rivals like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo could feel forced to do the same.
3️⃣ A boost for Epic Games Store
Epic aims to challenge Google Play’s dominance. Making it easier to install the Epic Games Store could bring Fortnite and other games back to millions of Android users.
4️⃣ Potential lower fees
Third-party app stores could offer lower commissions (Epic charges just 12% vs. Google’s 30%), possibly saving developers money.
5️⃣ Possible announcement at Galaxy Unpacked
The timing, just before Samsung’s flagship phone launch, suggests Samsung might share these policy changes to highlight openness.
🔍 Why Did Samsung Settle?
While Samsung hasn’t shared its side publicly, analysts believe:
- PR concerns before Galaxy Unpacked.
- Avoiding prolonged legal battles like Google and Apple faced.
- Growing regulatory pressure in markets like the EU and India, which are pushing big tech firms to open platforms to rivals
🏦 Background: Epic vs. Big Tech
Epic Games has been fighting:
- Apple over App Store rules since 2020.
- Google for blocking the Epic Games Store from Android phones.
The lawsuit against Samsung started after Samsung launched Auto Blocker, a feature Epic called an “anti-competitive wall.”
Epic has long argued that phone makers and OS owners should not block or discourage rival app stores.
🔮 What Happens Next?
- Samsung could announce a simpler process to sideload or trust apps.
- The Epic Games Store may become pre-installed on some Samsung phones.
- The antitrust case against Google still continues, targeting broader Android restrictions.
If Epic wins against Google, it could set a global precedent making it easier to use alternative app stores on Android everywhere.
✅ Conclusion
Epic Games settles antitrust case against Samsung, ending months of legal dispute over app blocking and store access. The settlement, though private, could spark real changes: easier sideloading, lower fees for developers, and more choices for users. Samsung may reveal more at its next phone launch—but the wider fight for app store fairness is far from over.
