Fortnite is free to download on Windows PCs through the Epic Games Store and on iPhone through the App Store, but its App Store listing covers iPhone and iPad only, so on a Mac you play it by streaming with GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming.
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Fortnite is also a free download on Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, each from that console's own store.
Which Fortnite download do you need?
| Your device | Official route | Link | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC | Epic Games Store, installed with the Epic Games Launcher | Fortnite on the Epic Games Store | Free |
| Any PC or Mac browser, no install | Xbox Cloud Gaming with a free Microsoft account | Play Fortnite on xbox.com | Free |
| Mac | Cloud streaming only: GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming | GeForce NOW | Xbox Cloud Gaming free; GeForce NOW needs a membership |
| iPhone or iPad | App Store | Fortnite on the App Store | Free |
| Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One | Microsoft Store on Xbox | Fortnite on xbox.com | Free |
| PS5 or PS4 | PlayStation store | Fortnite on playstation.com | Free |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Nintendo store, Switch 2 version | Fortnite for Nintendo Switch 2 | Free |
| Nintendo Switch or Switch Lite | Nintendo store, original Switch version | Fortnite for Nintendo Switch | Free |
Download Fortnite for Windows 11 and Windows 10
The PC version of Fortnite comes from the Epic Games Store and runs through the Epic Games Launcher, and the Epic Games Store app is also listed on the Microsoft Store for Windows.
- Fortnite on the Epic Games Store: the official PC download, free with an Epic Games account
- Epic Games Store on the Microsoft Store: the same Epic Games Store app, installed from the Microsoft Store on Windows
To play on a Windows PC without installing the game, Xbox Cloud Gaming streams Fortnite in Edge or Chrome with a free Microsoft account and supports mouse and keyboard, and the GeForce NOW app streams it with a membership.
Install Fortnite through the Epic Games Launcher
- Open the Fortnite page on the Epic Games Store in a browser.
- Sign in with your Epic Games account, or create one.
- Add Fortnite to your library from the store page. There is no charge.
- Install the Epic Games Launcher if it is not already on the PC, then sign in to it with the same account.
- Open your library in the launcher, and install Fortnite.
- Launch Fortnite once the install finishes and wait for any first-run update before you join a match.
Download Fortnite on Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch
Each console version is a free download from that console's own store, and Switch 2 owners need the Switch 2 version because Nintendo lists the original Switch version as incompatible with Switch 2.
- Fortnite on the Xbox store: Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, with Smart Delivery, 4K Ultra HD and 120 fps listed for Series X|S
- Fortnite on playstation.com: PS5 and PS4; the PS5 version is PS5 Pro Enhanced, and online play is required
- Fortnite for Nintendo Switch 2 (46 GB): runs at 60 fps with optional Joy-Con 2 mouse controls
- Fortnite for Nintendo Switch (19.2 GB): the original Switch version; play may differ on Nintendo Switch Lite
PS5 and PS Portal cloud streaming of Fortnite needs a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription, while the downloaded PS5 version is free.
Is Fortnite on Game Pass?
Fortnite needs no Game Pass: it is free on Xbox, and Xbox Cloud Gaming streams it with a free Microsoft account. xbox.com lists Fortnite under Game Pass Ultimate, and the Ultimate plan includes Fortnite Crew alongside EA Play and Ubisoft+ Classics. PC Game Pass does not include cloud gaming.
Is Fortnite free?
Fortnite is free to download and play on every platform; the PlayStation store and the App Store both list it as Free, and xbox.com lists it as Free+ because it sells optional in-game items.
| What you pay for | Price | Where it is listed |
|---|---|---|
| Fortnite itself | Free | PlayStation store, App Store, Xbox store, Nintendo store |
| 800 V-Bucks | $8.99 | PlayStation store, App Store, Xbox store |
| Battle Pass for the current season | 800 V-Bucks | playstation.com |
| Fortnite Crew | $11.99 on the App Store, or included with Game Pass Ultimate | App Store, xbox.com |
Fortnite has no paid full version: the Xbox store lists every mode, including Save the World, LEGO Fortnite: Odyssey and Fortnite Festival, as Free+, and V-Bucks and packs are the only purchases.
Fortnite system requirements and download size
| Platform | What the official listing requires | Download size |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone and iPad | iOS 17.0 or iPadOS 17.0 or later; iPhone 11 and newer, iPhone XS and newer, iPhone 12 Mini and newer, iPhone SE 3 and newer; iPad Pro 10.5" and newer, iPad Air 4th Gen and newer, iPad 10th Gen and newer, iPad Mini 6th Gen and newer | Up to 4.5 GB |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Switch 2 version; 60 fps at 2176×1224 in TV mode and 1600×900 in handheld mode | 46 GB |
| Nintendo Switch | Original Switch version; not compatible with Switch 2 | 19.2 GB |
| PS5 and PS4 | Online play required; the PS5 version requires the vibration function and trigger effect | Not listed on playstation.com |
| Xbox Series X|S | Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, 4K Ultra HD and 120 fps | Not listed on xbox.com |
| Windows PC (native) | Listed on the Epic Games Store page | Listed on the Epic Games Store page |
| Xbox Cloud Gaming in a browser | Edge, Chrome or Safari; 20 Mbps on PCs, 10 Mbps on phones, 5 GHz Wi-Fi recommended | None, it streams |
| GeForce NOW on Windows | 64-bit Windows 10 or later, 4GB of system memory, a GPU that supports DirectX 11; 15 Mbps for HD at up to 60 FPS | Only the GeForce NOW app |
| GeForce NOW on a Mac | macOS 10.15 or higher on any Mac introduced in 2009 or later; 15 Mbps for HD at up to 60 FPS | Only the GeForce NOW app |
Can you download Fortnite on Mac?
No: the Fortnite App Store listing is compatible with iPhone and iPad only, so a Mac plays Fortnite by streaming it. Both routes below are official and need no download of the game.
| Route | What you need | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Cloud Gaming in a browser | A free Microsoft account and Safari or Chrome; Fortnite supports mouse and keyboard here, or connect a compatible controller | Play Fortnite on xbox.com |
| GeForce NOW app for macOS | macOS 10.15 or higher, a GeForce NOW membership and an Epic Games account, which you can link in the app's Settings for single sign-on | GeForce NOW download |
| GeForce NOW in a browser | Safari 16.4 or later, or Chrome 77 or later, at play.geforcenow.com | GeForce NOW system requirements |
Download Fortnite on iPhone and iPad
- Fortnite on the App Store (Up to 4.5 GB): free, sold by Epic Games Sweden AB, requires iOS 17.0 or later and is rated 13+
An iPhone or iPad outside the App Store device list can still play Fortnite through GeForce NOW in Safari, which adds on-screen touch controls; open play.geforcenow.com in Safari and install the home screen shortcut.
How to check Fortnite is installed and up to date
- Launch Fortnite and sign in with your Epic Games account; reaching the lobby confirms the install and the account link both work.
- If the game will not get past the update or sign-in screen, open the Epic Games status page and check that the Fortnite row and Login read Operational.
- Read the past incidents on that page: scheduled Fortnite update downtime is posted there in advance, along with when matchmaking stops.
- On iPhone, open the Fortnite App Store page and compare its Version History with the build installed on the phone.
Fix Fortnite not downloading or installing on PC
Fortnite is stuck on preparing to download
The Epic Games Store posts Download/Installation outages and maintenance on its status page, and both stall downloads.
- Open the Epic Games status page.
- Under Epic Games Store, check that Download/Installation reads Operational.
- If it shows an outage or maintenance, wait for it to clear before retrying.
- If everything reads Operational, close the Epic Games Launcher fully, reopen it and start the download again.
Fortnite will not install because the drive is full
The install drive has less free space than the download needs.
- Select File Explorer from the taskbar, then This PC, and read the free space under Devices and drives.
- On Windows 11, select Start > Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations.
- Pick the temporary files, large or unused files and unused apps you can remove, then select Clean up for each section.
- Retry the install, or install Fortnite to a drive with more free space.
Fortnite takes so long to download on PC
Bandwidth shared with other downloads and streams, or a weak Wi-Fi signal, slows the Epic Games Launcher.
- Pause other downloads, game updates and video streams on the network.
- Connect the PC with an Ethernet cable, or move it to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band.
- Check the Download/Installation row on the Epic Games status page; degraded performance there slows every download.
- Keep the Epic Games Launcher open and the PC awake until the download completes.
Fortnite crashes or will not launch after installing
A damaged or incomplete install, or an update that has not finished.
- Check the Epic Games status page for scheduled Fortnite downtime and wait it out if one is in progress.
- Restart the PC and launch Fortnite again from the Epic Games Launcher.
- If it still fails, uninstall Fortnite from your launcher library and reinstall it from the Epic Games Store page.
- If the launcher itself misbehaves, remove it with Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select More > Uninstall, then reinstall it.
Rift server Fortnite and the official way to play old seasons
Play classic Fortnite seasons in Fortnite OG, a mode inside the free game, because no official store offers a Rift server download. The Xbox store lists Fortnite OG as Free+, the Nintendo listing announces Battle Royale Chapter 1 in Fortnite OG, and the App Store notes list OG Season X with classic POIs, returning loot and an all-new OG Pass.
Fortnite download FAQ
Why won't Fortnite download on my PC?
Check the Epic Games status page first: if Download/Installation under Epic Games Store is not Operational, the problem is on Epic's side. If it is, free up space on the install drive, restart the Epic Games Launcher and start the download again.
Why is Fortnite taking so long to download on PC?
The connection is usually shared with other downloads or streams, or the PC is on weak Wi-Fi. Pause other traffic, use Ethernet or 5 GHz Wi-Fi, and check the Epic Games status page for degraded download performance.
Can I download Fortnite on Windows?
Yes. Fortnite installs on Windows PCs from the Epic Games Store through the Epic Games Launcher, free with an Epic Games account. Xbox Cloud Gaming at xbox.com also streams it in a browser with no install.
Should I download Fortnite on my PC?
Fortnite costs nothing to download and V-Bucks purchases are optional. It is rated TEEN on the Xbox store and 13+ on the App Store, and each Fortnite island carries its own age rating, which parents can check before play.
How do I reinstall Fortnite on PC?
Uninstall Fortnite from your Epic Games Launcher library, restart the PC, then install it again from the Fortnite page on the Epic Games Store.
How do I uninstall Fortnite on PC?
Remove Fortnite from your library in the Epic Games Launcher. To remove the launcher as well, open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select More next to it and choose Uninstall. Uninstalling does not delete your Epic Games account.
How do I fix Fortnite crashing on PC?
Check the Epic Games status page for scheduled downtime, restart the PC and launch again. If Fortnite still crashes, uninstall it from the launcher library and reinstall it from the Epic Games Store for a clean copy of the game files.
Can I play Fortnite on a Mac without downloading it?
Yes. Xbox Cloud Gaming streams Fortnite in Safari or Chrome with a free Microsoft account, and GeForce NOW streams it through its macOS app or play.geforcenow.com with a membership and an Epic Games account.
