Epic Games is bringing Fortnite Battle Royale, the hottest game you can play right now, to mobile. It is now inviting players to enjoy early access on iPhone and iPad, with the first invites set to roll out later this week.
While you’re impatiently waiting to get yours, you’re probably asking lots of questions about how the preview will work, and what the game will be like on mobile. Who will get invites first? How will it handle cross-platform play with PlayStation 4 and PC? Can you use a wireless controller?
Here’s everything you need to know so far about Fortnite on iOS.
What is Fortnite Battle Royale?
Where have you been all this time?
Fortnite is a free-to-play battle royale game that has become hugely popular on consoles and PC, thanks to its unique gameplay, colorful graphics, and weekly content updates. It throws you into a massive map against 99 other players with just one mission: Be the last one to survive.
You start with nothing, so your first job is to collect the weapons, equipment, and resources you need to eliminate other players and stay alive. You also need to avoid the storm that gradually expands its reach, making the map smaller over time and forcing the remaining players closer together.
Fortnite Battle Royale on iOS will offer exactly the same experience you’ve been enjoying on consoles and PC. It will support 100-player battles on the same map, with the same weapons and content. Any progress you’ve already made on another platform will be synced to iOS.
Because it’s exactly the same game, Epic is allowing mobile players to team up with friends on PlayStation 4 and PC. Now it has provided us with more information on how cross-platform play will be handled, and how it will rollout preview invites.
Check out the FAQ below.
How do I sign up for Fortnite early access?
It’s easy! Simply visit fortnite.com/mobile. If you already have an Epic Games account, login when prompted, then select which device you’ll be using to play Fortnite during the preview. If you don’t have an account already, you’ll need to create one first.
When will I get my invite?
Epic games won’t be rolling out any invites until later this week, but you could be waiting months to get yours. Even if you signed up before all your friends, that doesn’t mean you’re ahead of them in the queue — though that will be taken into consideration.
Epic is using a number of factors to decide who plays first, including how far away a player is from a data center, and the device they’re using. The good news for those with an iOS device is that they’re getting access before those on Android.
When you do get an invite, it will include a link to download Fortnite from the App Store. It will also come with additional download codes that you can share with friends. So, be nice to your pals — they could get an invite with codes to share before you do.
Which iOS devices are supported?
You’ll need an iPhone 6s, iPhone SE, or later; an iPad mini 4 or later; or an iPad Air 2 or later. All of Apple’s most recent devices are compatible, including all iPad Pro variants and the 9.7-inch iPad that was launched last year.
You will also need to be running iOS 11 or later. If you’re still using iOS 10, update now!
How does cross-platform play work?
By default, Fortnite players on mobile will only be matched with other players on mobile. If you’re playing by yourself on an iPhone or iPad, you won’t have to worry about coming up against another player who’s using a controller or mouse.
However, if you join a squad with players who are using a PlayStation 4 or PC, then you will be entered into multi-platform lobbies.
Can I use a wireless controller?
Sadly, Fortnite on mobile won’t support wireless Bluetooth controllers initially. That means you’re stuck with touchscreen controls and you’ll have to get used to being at a disadvantage when you come up against PlayStation 4 and PC players.
Bluetooth controller support will be added to Fortnite on mobile “later this year,” Epic says.
Can I use voice chat?
Not initially. Epic plans to add voice chat “later,” but you’ll have to rely on other services to communicate with your squad at first.
Will Battle Royale ever open up to everyone?
Yes! Epic says that as soon as it is able to handle the scale of players that mobile support will bring, Fortnite Battle Royale will open up to everyone without the need for invites.
Is Save the World coming to mobile?
Save the World, Fortnite’s other big game mode, is not coming to mobile. “Save the World uses way more memory and CPU resources than Battle Royale and would be very difficult to bring to mobile devices,” Epic explains.
