V-Bucks purchased/redeemed on one platform are available on all other platforms that support Fortnite Shared Wallet: PC, Xbox consoles, PlayStation consoles, cloud gaming services, and Android. V-Bucks purchased/redeemed on Nintendo Switch can only be spent on that platform and will not appear if you log in on a different platform. Show V-Bucks unlocked through the Battle Pass, Quest Packs, or earned in Save the World can be seen and spent across all platforms. All items acquired with V-Bucks, gameplay, rewards or giveaways, and more can be accessed across all platforms as well.
Fortnite will soon be playable on Apple iPhone and iPad devices again, despite there being no let up in Apple’s ongoing war with Epic Games. While Epic’s developer account remains suspended and Fortnite off the App Store as a standalone game, there’s now a new way to enjoy the battle royale phenomenon. The return comes via a loophole, of sorts, thanks to the Nvidia GeForce Now streaming service, which is available on iOS through a web app and Apple’s Safari browser. Right now that’s the only way streaming services can launch efficiently on iOS/iPadOS devices, without dealing with a load of App Store red tape. Today, Nvidia made a new streaming version of Fortnite mobile available to play on GeForce Now via a closed beta test. This version is optimised with touchscreen controls, meaning you shouldn’t miss the native version too much. Bluetooth gamepads are also compatible. In a post on the Nvidia website, the company said it was encouraging sign-ups to join the waitlist, with invitations limited. You’ll also need to sign up for an Nvidia account, but you won’t need a paid GeForce Now subscription in order to play. “Register now for free for a chance to play the new touch-control version of Fortnite for mobile, all delivered through the cloud!” Nvidia writes. “You could be one of the first to access this limited closed beta to help us test out the new streaming experience on iOS Safari and Android mobile devices. The new touch-control version means you can jump in and start playing right away with just the screen and your fingers, no gamepad or keyboard/mouse are needed.” You can sign-up for the waitlist here, with invites going out later in January. Right now the beta is listed as limited, but Nvidia isn’t saying how long it will last. It comes with Apple appealing a court ruling in Epic’s favour that compels the iPhone maker to offer different forms of in-app purchases within the app, other than its own. Until that is resolved, we can’t see Epic’s developer account being restored any time soon. Pocket-lint is supported by its readers. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more (Pocket-lint) - Epic Games' battle with Apple and Google over app store fees resulted in the Fortnite app being removed from app stores, making it impossible to play on a mobile device legitimately. However, a new partnership with Microsoft makes Fortnite available on nearly every screen, thanks to Xbox Cloud Gaming. Xbox Cloud Gaming is Microsoft's cloud game streaming service, which offers more than 100 games to stream over an internet connection. It's generally a feature that comes at no extra cost to those who subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, but while this latest partnership uses Microsoft's technology, it is available for free to everyone, even those who don't subscribe to Game Pass. Fortnite has been available on mobile through cloud gaming before, to those on the closed beta offered by Nvidia's GeForce Now platform, but that hasn't been made into a full public service yet and the Xbox deal seems to have been Epic Games' preferred option. Here's how to get it up and running on your device. You will need a Microsoft account and internet access for your iOS, iPadOS, Android, or even Windows device. There is no installation required. Just go to Xbox.com/play on your web browser and sign in with your Microsoft Account. Microsoft said Fortnite is available via Xbox Cloud Gaming in 26 countries. Check out our guide on Fortnite: What parents need to know about Fortnite.
Thanks to Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming service, you can once again play Fortnite on iOS. Back in 2020, Epic Games made several updates to Fortnite, including one that allowed players to bypass Apple's App Store payment system and its commissions. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has repeatedly voiced his opinion on the matter, blasting Apple on the 30% revenue cut it makes on every single purchase made via the App Store. Apple didn't take too kindly to this violation of its guidelines, and so it permanently banned the popular multiplayer shooting game from the App Store. And to this day, the game is still not available for download in that way, and it could be years before it returns to the App Store. But there is another way to play Fortnite on your iPhone or iPad. Earlier this month, Microsoft announced a partnership with Epic Games that would make Fortnite accessible to anyone with an Xbox Cloud Gaming account. Shortly after, Nvidia announced a similar partnership with Epic Games that also allows you to play Fortnite, via its GeForce Now streaming service. All long as you have access to a web browser -- such as Safari or Chrome -- you can once again play Fortnite on your iPhone or iPad. Here's what you need to know. Related: Nintendo Switch OLED vs. the Others: Which Should You Buy Fortnite is available to play on GeForce Now for iOS. Lori Grunin/CNETFor Xbox Cloud Gaming, first create or sign in to your Microsoft accountIf you already have a Microsoft account, you can skip ahead to the next section. If not, you need to create a Microsoft account first, which takes only a few minutes. On your iPhone or iPad, in the web browser of your choice, go to the Microsoft sign-up website and create a new account using an email or a phone number. The process involves creating a password, adding your name and birthdate, verifying your email and solving a puzzle to prove that you're not a bot. Save your username and password to iCloud or keep your credentials elsewhere, because you'll need them later to play Fortnite. Related: Best Nintendo Switch Controller for 2022 You can quickly create a Microsoft account. Nelson Aguilar/CNETNow, go to the Xbox Cloud Gaming website and add it to your home screenIn Safari, Chrome or other mobile web browser, go to the Xbox Cloud Gaming website and tap the green Play for Free button underneath the Fortnite logo. If you aren't already signed in to your Microsoft account, do that now. An Xbox account is also required to play any games, so if you're asked to create an Xbox account, do so. Next, tap the green Get Ready to Play button -- this will bring up a window at the bottom of the screen asking you to add Xbox Cloud Gaming to your home screen to launch the game from there. To do this, tap the share button in the navigation bar and then hit Add to Home Screen. You must add the website to your home button or else you won't be able to play Fortnite. Add the Xbox Cloud Gaming service to your home screen. Nelson Aguilar/CNETFinally, open the home screen app and play FortniteOnce the Xbox Cloud Gaming website is on your home screen, hit Play for Free, sign in to your Microsoft account and then tap Play to begin playing Fortnite. A loading screen from Xbox and then one from Fortnite will appear. Use the controls on the screen to link your Fortnite account or play as a guest (I ran into problems playing as a guest, so I would recommend linking your existing Fortnite account or creating one). At the top left, you have a number of controls to mute your microphone, exit the game, configure your controls, view the Xbox menu and more. For the best experience, bring down the control center, make sure the portrait orientation lock button is off and flip your phone horizontally so that you can play full-screen. As for gameplay, Fortnite obviously doesn't run as smoothly as it does on your computer or gaming console, and the controls are a bit difficult to master, but at least this does offer you a way to play on the go -- as long as you have a pretty decent internet connection. This is what Fortnite via Xbox Cloud Gaming looks like on the iPad. Nelson Aguilar/CNETFor Nvidia, how to play Fortnite with GeForce NowAs long as you're a GeForce Now member, you can also play Fortnite on iOS thanks to Nvidia's video game streaming service. However, unlike with Xbox Cloud Gaming, you're limited to a single hour session at a time with the free GeForce Now membership. After an hour, the service will automatically close, and while you can start another hour session right after, constant interruptions are not ideal. To play Fortnite, go to the GeForce Now website in your web browser, tap the share icon and hit Add to Home Screen to add the service to your home screen as an app. Next, launch the GeForce Now app you just created, agree to the terms and conditions and tap on Fortnite. Before you can play the game, you must either log in to your existing account or create a new one. Choose the free membership option (you can also pay to avoid session interruptions), and enter your email, a password, a display name and your birthdate. Once your account is created, go back and hit Play to load up Fortnite. Like with Xbox Cloud Gaming, you have a number of touch controls for playing the game, as well as to bring up a keyboard, mute your microphone, copy and paste and other actions. And as mentioned in the previous section, it's best to play the game horizontally so that you have more screen real estate for it. You can also play Fortnite on GeForce Now. Nelson Aguilar/CNET First published on May 20, 2022 at 2:56 p.m. PT. |