Epic Games has settled its antitrust lawsuit against Samsung, marking a surprising turn in the Fortnite maker’s expanding battle to dismantle what it calls a “duopoly” of app store control by Google and its close partners.
Filed in September 2024, the case accused Samsung of colluding with Google to suppress competition in mobile app distribution — primarily through the deployment of its controversial “Auto Blocker” feature that restricts installations of apps from outside the Galaxy and Google Play Stores.
On Monday, Epic voluntarily dismissed nine of its antitrust claims in a U.S. court filing, following what it described as constructive discussions with Samsung.
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“We’re dismissing our court case against Samsung following the parties’ discussions,” Epic CEO Tim Sweeney posted on X. “We are grateful that Samsung will address Epic’s concerns.”
Though no specific terms of the settlement were made public, legal analysts believe the agreement likely involves tweaks to the way Samsung handles app installations from alternative sources.
The settlement ends one chapter in Epic’s broader offensive against what it sees as illegal app store monopolies — an effort that has already seen a major win against Google, and a mixed outcome in a previous case against Apple. Epic has also launched its own mobile app store and has pushed to expand third-party distribution globally.
What the Case Was About
Epic’s lawsuit against Samsung centered on the Auto Blocker feature, which was turned on by default on Galaxy devices and created a complex, 21-step process for users to install apps from outside Samsung’s and Google’s stores. Epic alleged this amounted to a deliberate obstruction designed to limit user choice and punish competition, particularly after a U.S. jury found Google guilty of illegally monopolizing Android app distribution in December 2023.
Samsung denied wrongdoing at the time, calling Epic’s suit “baseless” and saying its security features were designed solely to protect users from malware and unsafe apps. Google also dismissed Epic’s allegations as meritless, emphasizing that Android partners like Samsung are free to make independent decisions on app safety mechanisms.
However, the timing of Epic’s lawsuit—just months after it won the historic jury verdict against Google—suggested the company was intent on ensuring that judgment would not be undermined by workarounds. Epic claimed Samsung’s actions effectively nullified the legal win by maintaining the status quo in app distribution, particularly in key U.S. markets where Galaxy phones hold a significant market share.
What’s in the Settlement?
Epic did not disclose the terms of the agreement, but its decision to dismiss the suit without prejudice — meaning it can revive the claims later — suggests Samsung has committed to certain changes. Legal observers speculate that Samsung may agree to either disable Auto Blocker by default, offer an opt-in mechanism, or establish a fair and transparent whitelisting process for third-party app stores.
The resolution also arrives just days before Samsung’s highly anticipated Galaxy Unpacked event, sparking industry chatter that Epic’s game store could be preinstalled on new Samsung devices, or at the very least, made more accessible through device settings.
This wouldn’t be the first time Samsung has cooperated with Epic in app distribution. In 2018, Fortnite was initially available for Android exclusively through Samsung’s Galaxy Store before being released more broadly.
The Samsung case was just one front in Epic’s long-running campaign to break the dominance of tech giants over app distribution. The company began its war against gatekeeper app stores in 2020 by suing both Apple and Google over their 30% commissions and tight control over in-app payments.
While Epic lost much of its case against Apple, the firm scored a significant legal victory against Google in December 2023 when a California jury found the company had violated antitrust laws. The verdict compelled Google to open its Play Store to rival marketplaces, but enforcement of the ruling remains in limbo as the company appeals.
In suing Samsung, Epic sought to ensure that Google’s alleged antitrust violations were not merely replicated through strategic partnerships.
Sweeney is not optimistic that change will be immediate.
“If Google is obstructing a vertical remedy through appeals and isn’t offering an awesome deal,” Sweeney said in 2023.
What Changes Could Be Coming?
According to the filing, Epic retains the right to refile the case if Samsung fails to follow through on its commitments. At the same time, the broader legal landscape is still shifting. Google’s appeal of the jury verdict is pending, and lawmakers in Washington are revisiting legislation to curb app store monopolies, particularly on Android.
The outcome of the Samsung dispute may also influence other manufacturers. If Samsung agrees to open up its devices to third-party app stores, other OEMs like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo may face similar pressures — especially in regions where regulators are growing more assertive in policing digital market competition.
Though Epic’s agreement with Samsung lacked the courtroom drama of its battles with Apple and Google, it could have significant implications. By reaching a compromise outside court, Epic may be setting a precedent for how it wants other companies to cooperate — not with monetary damages, but with structural changes that promote open access.
At a time when developers are pushing for greater visibility, lower fees, and direct relationships with users, Samsung’s willingness to settle may reflect a growing recognition among manufacturers that the old gatekeeping models are no longer defensible — legally, politically, or commercially.