Epic Games Store to Open Mobile Self-Publishing in August 2026

In a major development for mobile game distribution, Epic Games has announced plans to open its mobile Epic Games Store to self-publishing for both iOS and Android developers in August 2026.

This strategic move was outlined by Epic Games Store General Manager Steve Allison at the Game Developers Conference (GDC).

The expansion is part of Epic's broader effort to build a unified, games-focused marketplace beyond its successful PC store, aiming to offer a real alternative to the dominant app stores run by Apple and Google.

This decision follows significant regulatory and legal shifts that are reshaping the mobile ecosystem.

Epic's protracted legal battle with Google has led to proposed remedies including fee reductions and support for third-party app stores on Android.

These changes are designed to increase competition and provide developers with more choice.

According to the announcement, Android is expected to be the primary driver of early adoption for the Epic Games Store due to these more favorable policy changes.

In contrast, iOS adoption is anticipated to be slower due to ongoing fees and policy friction imposed by Apple, even as Epic has expanded its iOS store presence in Europe under the Digital Markets Act.

To further enhance its offering, Epic is also building a cross-platform social framework, introduced in January 2026, that connects PC, Android, and iOS.

This system will include features like player profiles, messaging, and avatars, all of which will be integrated into games through Epic Online Services.

The shift to an open, self-publishing model, moving away from a curated onboarding process, marks a critical step in Epic's ambition to lower barriers for developers and establish its store as a major, viable distribution channel on mobile [citation:4].