No. 05Battle royale and game platform
Fortnite: free, everywhere except the handheld PC
Epic's free battle royale and its many modes run on PC, every console, Switch 2 and, since May 2026, iPhone again in the UK. The Steam Deck and Mac are the gaps.
01 · the kit listWhere Fortnite plays
The widest free reach on the list: PC, both console generations, Switch and Switch 2, Android and, once more, iPhone. It is not on Mac or Steam Deck, but it can be streamed free through Xbox's cloud service.
- Desktop PCPlays
Epic Games Store, or the Microsoft Store since November 2025. It runs on Intel HD 4000-class graphics in its performance mode.
- Everyday laptopPlays
The official minimum is Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics; use the performance rendering mode.
- Steam DeckNot available · Not supported
Epic says it cannot be played on Steam Deck directly: its anti-cheat is not enabled for Linux. Epic suggests Xbox cloud streaming in a browser instead.
- PlayStation 5Plays
PS5 and PS4 versions; no PS Plus needed.
- Xbox Series X|SPlays
Xbox One and Series X|S; no Game Pass needed to play online.
- Nintendo Switch 2Plays
Native Switch 2 version since 5 June 2025; no Nintendo Switch Online needed.
- Phone & tabletPlays
Back on the UK App Store since 19 May 2026 (iOS 17 or later) and on Google Play since March 2026.
- MacNot available
No Mac version since 2020; Epic points Mac owners to cloud streaming.
- Cloud streamingPlays · Free on Xbox cloud
Free to stream through Xbox cloud streaming with just a Microsoft account; also on GeForce NOW and PS Plus Premium.
02 · on a PCWhat your PC needs
- System
- Windows 10 22H2, 64-bit
- Processor
- Core i3-3225 3.3 GHz
- Memory
- 8 GB
- Graphics
- Intel HD 4000 or AMD Radeon Vega 8
- System
- Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit
- Processor
- Core i5-7300U or Ryzen 3 3300U
- Memory
- 16 GB
- Graphics
- GeForce GTX 960 or Radeon R9 280 (2 GB)
- Storage
- NVMe solid-state drive
Published by Epic Games. Epic publishes no storage figure. Its higher 'epic quality' presets want an RTX 3070-class card. Official requirements.
03 · the verdictOne download, many games
Fortnite began as a battle royale, a hundred players dropped onto an island until one squad is left, and that mode is still its heart, with a Zero Build version for anyone who does not want to learn its fast building. Around it, Epic has grown a whole platform: LEGO Fortnite survival, the Fortnite Festival rhythm game, Rocket Racing and thousands of islands made by players.
The core shooting and movement are smooth and readable, each season reshapes the island, and the constant collaborations mean you may meet a pop star, a superhero and a film character in the same match.
Everything is free to play, including the Save the World campaign since April 2026. Epic makes its money from the Item Shop, which shows each costume and emote before you buy, and from the Battle Pass. Since January 2026 some islands made by players can also sell items with random contents, with the chances shown and a block for UK under-18s, and the shop itself is designed to be visited every day.
Reach is excellent: PC, every current console including Switch 2, Android, and iPhone again in the UK since May 2026, with a free cloud route through Xbox's streaming service as well. The gaps are Steam Deck, where the anti-cheat is not switched on for Linux, and Mac, which lost the game in 2020.
Start it if…
you want a free game with a mode for everyone in the house, and friends on other devices to play with.
Skip it if…
a daily shop and constant limited-time items would wear on you, or you mainly play on a Steam Deck.
04 · the score8.2 out of 10, and why
05 · the billWhat it costs in the UK
| Store | What you get | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| All platforms | Fortnite, including Save the World | Free | |
| PlayStation and Microsoft stores | 800 V-Bucks | £6.99 | Enough for the Battle Pass |
| PlayStation and Microsoft stores | 2,400 V-Bucks | £17.49 | |
| PlayStation and Microsoft stores | 12,500 V-Bucks | £69.99 |
Online play on consoles
- PlayStation
- Not needed; free to play
- Xbox
- Not needed; free to play
- Nintendo
- Not needed; Nintendo names Fortnite as exempt
What the shop sells
Epic's own Item Shop sells specific costumes and emotes, shown before you buy, plus the Battle Pass (800 V-Bucks) and other passes. Since January 2026, some islands made by players can sell items with random contents for V-Bucks; Epic requires them to show the chances, blocks them for UK under-18s and lets parents switch them off.
PEGI purchase descriptor: In-game purchases (includes random items).
There are no editions, and since April 2026 even the co-operative Save the World mode is free. Fortnite Crew, the monthly subscription, is included in Game Pass Ultimate.
06 · starting in 2026More ways to play, and back on iPhone
Chapter 7's seasons continue on the main island, Save the World became free in April 2026 and the game returned to the UK App Store in May 2026. Prices changed in March 2026: £6.99 now buys 800 V-Bucks, which is exactly one Battle Pass.
Creators could start selling items inside their islands, including random items with published chances. Source.
V-Bucks were repriced, the Battle Pass fell to 800 V-Bucks, and Fortnite returned to Google Play. Source.
Fortnite returned to the App Store in the UK and most other countries. Source.
Epic had not dated the next season as of 24 September 2026.
07 · strengths and catchesWorth knowing
Strengths
- Free, with several very different games in one download
- Crossplay and shared progress across nearly every platform
- Epic's own shop always shows what you are buying
- Zero Build mode removes the hardest skill to learn
Catches
- A shop and battle pass designed to be checked daily
- Some player-made islands sell random items
- Not playable on Steam Deck or Mac
08 · first stepsBefore your first session
- Start in Zero Build if the building looks intimidating; you can learn it later.
- Play the season's quests for experience rather than chasing eliminations.
- Set up parental controls and a spending PIN on the Epic account before younger players start.
- Try the other modes: LEGO Fortnite and Festival suit players who do not enjoy shooters.
09 · screenshotsHow it looks
Screenshots: official, © Epic Games.
10 · questionsCommon questions
Is Fortnite back on iPhone in the UK?
Yes. It returned to the App Store in the UK on 19 May 2026 and needs iOS 17 or later.
Can I play Fortnite on Steam Deck?
Not directly. Epic has not enabled its anti-cheat for Linux, so it suggests streaming through Xbox's cloud service in the browser.
Do I need a subscription to play Fortnite online?
No. It is free to play online on PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo without PS Plus, Game Pass or Switch Online.
Does Fortnite sell random items?
Epic's Item Shop does not: you see what you buy. Since January 2026 some player-made islands can sell random items, with chances shown, blocked for UK under-18s.