The Epic Games Linux launcher is officially in the works. An Epic Games staff member confirmed the news during a community Discord AMA on August 13, 2026, ending years of speculation about official Linux support for the Epic Games Store. The launcher will not arrive with the upcoming preview release, and Epic has not shared a release date.
Here is everything confirmed so far, and what it means for Linux and Steam Deck players who rely on workarounds like Heroic Games Launcher.
Epic Games Linux Launcher: What Was Confirmed on Discord
The confirmation came when a member of the Epic Games Store community Discord asked whether the company’s work on a modern launcher framework could eventually bring Linux support. Epic staff member “onepercentnachos” replied that Linux support is coming, though it will not be part of the launcher’s upcoming preview build.
The employee added that building a native Linux launcher takes more than a simple port. In their words, Epic needs “to do more than simply have a build of the launcher that can run natively on Linux.”
No timeline was given for when the native Linux launcher will actually launch. The response also did not confirm whether Fortnite itself will follow, since the game’s main blocker on Linux is Easy Anti-Cheat, not the storefront client.
Epic has been rebuilding the Epic Games Store launcher with a new framework, and some reports peg the redesigned client at up to 5 times faster load speeds than the current version. The Linux build is expected to grow out of that same framework once it’s ready.
Why This Matters for Steam Deck and Linux Users
Right now, Linux and Steam Deck owners access their Epic Games Store libraries through third-party tools such as Heroic Games Launcher, which runs the Windows client through compatibility layers like Wine and Proton. These tools work well, but they depend on community maintenance rather than official support.
An official Epic Games Store Linux client would let players install games, manage libraries, and claim weekly free titles directly, without routing everything through Proton. It could also make the Epic Games Store more attractive on devices such as the Steam Deck, where native support tends to run smoother than compatibility-layer alternatives.
Epic has also been building out its Linux plans elsewhere. The company was previously reported to be hiring a security engineer to work on Linux anti-cheat capabilities, which would matter if Easy Anti-Cheat, and by extension Fortnite, is ever brought to the platform.
For now, the Epic Games Linux launcher remains a confirmed work in progress rather than a finished product. Epic has not announced a beta, a release window, or which distributions it plans to support first. Players will need to keep using Heroic Games Launcher or similar tools until Epic ships something official.
