How to use the Epic Store on Linux

The Epic Games Store is quickly becoming a competitor to Steam by adding exclusive PC games to it. Sadly, unlike Steam, it does not have a native Linux release, and there are no plans for Epic to release on Linux in the future.

Not to worry! With a little elbow grease, you can get the Epic Store working on your Linux PC. Here’s how to do it.

Installing GPU drivers and Vulkan drivers on Linux

The Epic Games Store does work on Linux, thanks to some tweaks and configuration changes. However, it needs proprietary video drivers to function correctly, as well as Vulkan drivers. In this section of the guide, we’ll show you how to set up both.

To start the installation process, open up a terminal window. You can open up a terminal window by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T on the keyboard. Or, search for a terminal in the app menu by typing in “Terminal.”

Once the terminal window is open, follow the GPU driver installation instructions below that match the card you have.

Nvidia

To get Nvidia drivers and Vulkan drivers working, choose your distribution below and install it by following the instructions.

Ubuntu

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386 

sudo apt install nvidia-driver-450

sudo apt install libvulkan1 libvulkan1:i386

Arch Linux

Ensure you have the “multilib” software repository enabled in your Pacman configuration file. Then, enter the commands below.

sudo pacman -Syu

sudo pacman -S nvidia-dkms nvidia-utils lib32-nvidia-utils nvidia-settings vulkan-icd-loader lib32-vulkan-icd-loader

Fedora

sudo dnf install fedora-workstation-repositories

sudo dnf config-manager --set-enabled rpmfusion-nonfree-nvidia-driver

After enabling the repos, reboot your Fedora PC. Then, launch a terminal and enter the command below.

sudo dnf install vulkan-loader vulkan-loader.i686

Reboot your PC a second time. Once logged back in, launch the Software app in Fedora. Then, do the following:

Add-ons > Hardware Drivers > NVIDIA Linux Graphics Driver > Install

AMD/Intel

If you use AMD or Intel, follow along below by entering the commands that correspond with the distribution you use.

Ubuntu

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kisak/kisak-mesa

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386

sudo apt update

sudo apt upgrade

sudo apt install libgl1-mesa-dri:i386

sudo apt install mesa-vulkan-drivers mesa-vulkan-drivers:i386

Reboot when done to apply the changes made.

Arch Linux

Ensure you have the “multilib” software repository enabled on your Arch Linux PC. Once you do, enter the commands below.

sudo pacman -Syu

AMD:

sudo pacman -S lib32-mesa vulkan-radeon lib32-vulkan-radeon vulkan-icd-loader lib32-vulkan-icd-loader

INTEL:

sudo pacman -S lib32-mesa vulkan-intel lib32-vulkan-intel vulkan-icd-loader lib32-vulkan-icd-loader

Fedora

sudo dnf install vulkan-loader vulkan-loader.i686

Reboot when done.

Installing Lutris on Linux

Now that the correct drivers are installed on your Linux PC, you must install Lutris. Lutris is an open-source gaming platform that allows for the quick installation of complex gaming configurations, such as the Epic Games Store.

Lutris doesn’t come pre-installed on any Linux operating system by default, so we’ll need to go over how to install the software on your Linux PC before continuing. To start, launch a terminal window by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T on the keyboard. Then, follow the command-line instructions down below.

Ubuntu

On Ubuntu, you can install Lutris by entering the following commands below.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:lutris-team/lutris
sudo apt update
sudo apt install lutris

Debian

If you’re using Debian, you can get Lutris working by entering the commands below in a terminal window.

echo "deb http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/strycore/Debian_10/ ./" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/lutris.list
wget -q https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/strycore/Debian_10/Release.key -O- | sudo apt-key add -
apt update
apt install lutris

Arch Linux

On Arch Linux, install the Lutris app with the following command below.

sudo pacman -S lutris

Fedora

Those on Fedora Linux can get the Lutris app with the command below.

sudo dnf install lutris

OpenSUSE

Are you using OpenSUSE Linux? Please enter the following command to get it working.

sudo zypper in lutris

Installing the Epic Store on Linux with Lutris

Now that video drivers, Vulkan drivers, and Lutris are installed, we can set up the Epic Store. Follow the step-by-step guide to get Epic working on your system.

Step 1: In your favorite browser, head over to the “Epic Games Store” on the Lutris website. Once on the page, locate the “Install” button on the page, and click on it with the mouse.

When you click on the “Install” button on the Lutris, your browser will attempt to launch the Lutris app, and you may see a notification asking to open the app via the browser. Allow your browser to do so.

Step 2: After opening the link in Lutris, the Lutris installer will appear with an “Install Epic Games Store” window. In the “Install Epic Games Store” window, find the “Install” button, and select it with the mouse to begin installing.

Step 3: Once you’ve clicked on the “Install” button, you’ll go to the next page, where Lutris will ask where to set the Epic Games Store installation directory. Leave it as default, and select “Install” to continue.