Epic Games is working on an official Linux version of its PC launcher, a move that could make the Epic Games Store much easier to use on Linux desktops and devices such as Valve’s Steam Deck. The confirmation came during an Ask Me Anything session in the Epic Games Store community Discord, where an Epic staff member said Linux support is coming “soon.”
There is still no release date. Epic also made clear that the Linux version will not be included in the upcoming preview of its redesigned launcher, so “soon” should be treated as confirmation of active development rather than a firm launch window.
The more interesting detail is that Epic says Linux needs more work than simply producing a native build. That suggests the company is considering platform-specific requirements around installation, compatibility and the broader launcher experience instead of treating Linux as a basic port.
Why Linux support matters for Steam Deck and Epic players
Linux users can already reach much of their Epic libraries through community tools such as Heroic Games Launcher, while compatibility layers can help Windows games run on Linux. An official client would remove one layer of setup and give users a launcher maintained directly by Epic for account access, downloads, updates and library management.
That could matter most on Steam Deck because SteamOS is Linux-based. Valve has spent years improving Windows-game compatibility through Proton, helping turn Linux gaming into a more practical option. Interest in the platform has continued even as hardware pricing has changed, including the recent Steam Deck OLED price increases tied to component pressure.
Epic’s timing is also notable because the company is rebuilding its launcher from the ground up. Its Launcher V2 roadmap has cited an average cold-start target around five times faster, with an even larger improvement when restoring from the system tray. The Linux client is not part of the first preview, but developing it alongside a newer architecture could avoid carrying every limitation of the current Windows launcher into a new platform.
There is a wider industry shift too. GOG confirmed in July that it has a specialist working on Linux support for GOG Galaxy and described the project as a significant undertaking, without giving a release date. That puts two major non-Steam storefronts on a similar path: both are exploring official Linux clients while community tools continue filling the gap.
For Epic users, a native launcher could also make the company’s weekly giveaways easier to manage from Linux hardware. Epic continues to refresh free PC titles regularly, as seen in the recent Epic Games Store August 2026 free-game lineup. A supported Linux client would give players a more direct route to those existing libraries, although individual game compatibility would still vary.
One issue remains especially important: anti-cheat. In June, an Epic job listing for a senior game-security role specifically called for someone to “champion Linux anti-cheat capabilities for Epic.” That is a meaningful signal of investment, but it does not confirm that Fortnite is coming to Linux or SteamOS.
Launcher support and game support are separate. Fortnite requires Easy Anti-Cheat, and Epic has not announced a Linux or SteamOS version of the game. A native storefront would remove one barrier, but Epic would still need to support the title itself and ensure its anti-cheat requirements work in the environment it chooses to support.
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What Epic has confirmed — and what remains unknown
As of August 14, Epic has confirmed that a Linux version of its launcher is in development and that it requires more than a simple native build. The company has also confirmed that it will not appear in the upcoming launcher preview.
What Epic has not provided is just as important. There is no release date, no published list of supported Linux distributions, no confirmed packaging format and no Steam Deck-specific feature set. Epic has not said whether the client will use tools such as Flatpak, include compatibility-layer management or offer a controller-focused interface, so those possibilities should not be presented as announced features.
There is also no confirmed list of games that will gain official Linux support alongside the launcher. Players should therefore separate the storefront announcement from speculation about Fortnite, Easy Anti-Cheat or native Linux game releases.
The practical significance is still substantial: Epic has moved an official Linux launcher from speculation into active development at the same time it is rebuilding its store software and investing in Linux-focused anti-cheat expertise. The next meaningful update will be a release window and technical details showing how broadly Epic intends to support Linux and SteamOS.
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