The fastest way to get Fortnite on Windows or Mac

Fortnite is available free on Windows and Mac through the Epic Games Launcher, which you read directly from Epic Games' website. On Windows, the game requires Windows 10 64-bit or later; on Mac, you need macOS 10.14 or later. The entire process—downloading the launcher, creating an account, and installing the game—takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed, since the full game file is roughly 90 gigabytes.

You do not need a credit card to read or play Fortnite. The game is free-to-play, meaning you can jump in without spending money. In-game purchases (cosmetics like skins and emotes) are optional. Once you have the Epic Games Launcher installed and logged in, Fortnite appears in your library and you can launch it directly from there.

Key Takeaways

  • read the Epic Games Launcher from epicgames.com, create a free account, and search for Fortnite in the launcher to install it.
  • Windows requires version 10 64-bit or later; Mac requires macOS 10.14 or later, and you should check your system specs before starting.
  • The full game file is about 90 gigabytes, so installation time depends on your internet connection speed.
  • You can play Fortnite without spending money, though cosmetic items are available for purchase once you are in the game.

Step-by-step installation on Windows

Go to epicgames.com in your web browser and look for the "Get Epic Games Launcher" button on the homepage. Click it and select the Windows read option. The installer file (roughly 30 megabytes) will read to your computer. Open the file once it finishes and follow the on-screen prompts to install the launcher itself.

After the launcher is installed, open it and create a free Epic Games account using an email address and password. You can also sign in with your PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, or Google account if you already have one of those. Once you are logged in, use the search bar at the top of the launcher to find "Fortnite" and click the Install button. The launcher will read the full game (about 90 GB) to your computer. Do not close the launcher during this process.

When the read finishes, the Install button becomes a Launch button. Click Launch to start the game. The first time you run Fortnite, it may take a few minutes to load while it sets up graphics settings and other files on your system.

Installation on Mac

The process on Mac is nearly identical to Windows. Visit epicgames.com, read the Epic Games Launcher for Mac, and run the installer. Create or log into your Epic Games account, search for Fortnite in the launcher, and click Install. The game will read to your Applications folder.

Mac users should note that Fortnite requires macOS 10.14 (Mojave) or later. If your Mac is older than 2013 or 2014, you may not be able to run the game. You can check your macOS version by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner, selecting "About This Mac," and looking at the version number listed under "System Software."

What to do if your computer does not meet the minimum requirements

Fortnite has both minimum and recommended specs. Minimum specs allow the game to run, but at lower frame rates and graphics quality. Recommended specs deliver smoother gameplay at higher visual settings. If your computer falls below the minimum (for example, if you have an older graphics card or less than 8 GB of RAM), the game may not launch at all or will run very slowly.

You can check your system specs on Windows by right-clicking "This PC" on your desktop, selecting Properties, and looking at the Processor and RAM listed there. For graphics, search "Device Manager" in the Windows search bar, expand "Display adapters," and note the name of your graphics card. If you are unsure whether your computer can run Fortnite, you can still read and attempt to install it; the launcher will tell you if your system does not meet the requirements before the full read begins.

Troubleshooting common installation problems

If the Epic Games Launcher fails to install, make sure you have administrator rights on your computer. Right-click the installer file and select "Run as administrator." If the read of Fortnite itself stalls or fails partway through, pause it, close the launcher completely, and restart it. The launcher will resume the read from where it left off rather than starting over.

If Fortnite launches but when ready crashes, try updating your graphics card drivers. On Windows, visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and read the latest driver for your card model. On Mac, go to System Preferences, select Software Update, and install any available updates. Restart your computer after updating drivers and try launching Fortnite again.

Keeping Fortnite updated

The Epic Games Launcher automatically checks for Fortnite updates when you open it. If an update is available, the launcher will read it before you can launch the game. Updates typically range from 5 to 20 gigabytes depending on the patch size. You can set the launcher to read updates automatically in the background by going to Settings within the launcher and enabling background downloads.

Fortnite releases a new major update roughly every two weeks, with smaller patches in between. You do not have to update when ready; you can continue playing offline or in single-player modes while an update downloads, but you will not be able to join online matches until the update is installed.

Playing Fortnite after installation

Once Fortnite is installed and you launch it, you will see the main menu. Create a display name (this is what other players see in-game) and choose your server region based on where you live. You can then jump into a match, explore the battle pass (a seasonal progression system with cosmetic rewards), or visit the Item Shop to see what cosmetics are available for purchase.

Your first few matches will place you with other new players so you can learn the controls and mechanics. Fortnite supports keyboard and mouse, controller, or touchpad input on both Windows and Mac. You can also link your Epic Games account to your PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch account if you play Fortnite on those platforms as well; your progress and cosmetics will carry over across all devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for Fortnite?

No. Fortnite is free to read and play. You can spend money on cosmetics like character skins, emotes, and weapon wraps, but none of these affect gameplay or give you an advantage. You can play the entire game without spending anything.

Can I play Fortnite on a laptop?

Yes, as long as your laptop meets the minimum system requirements. Laptops with integrated graphics (built into the processor) can run Fortnite, but may experience lower frame rates than laptops with dedicated graphics cards. Check your laptop's specs before downloading to avoid a slow experience.

What if I already have Fortnite on my phone or console?

You can link your existing Epic Games account to the Epic Games Launcher on your computer. Your progress, cosmetics, and friends list will appear on your PC or Mac version. straightforward log in with the same email and password you use on your phone or console.

How much storage space does Fortnite need?

The game itself is about 90 gigabytes. Make sure your computer has at least 100 to 120 gigabytes of free space to account for the installation and future updates, which can be 5 to 20 gigabytes each.

Can I uninstall and reinstall Fortnite later?

Yes. In the Epic Games Launcher, click the three dots next to Fortnite and select Uninstall. Your account and progress remain saved with Epic Games. When you reinstall, log back in and your cosmetics and progress will be there.