How to Get Fortnite Bloons TD 6 Sidekick for Free (April 2026)

If you want to know how to get the Fortnite Bloons TD 6 sidekick for free, you are in the right place. The Dart Monkey Sidekick landed in Fortnite as part of the Gaming Legends Series, giving fans of Ninja Kiwi’s beloved tower defense game a way to rep their favorite monkey in battle royale matches. Our Fortnite sidekicks guide covers every pet companion available in the game, but this page focuses specifically on the one method that gets you the Dart Monkey without spending a single V-Buck. The sidekick became available starting April 23, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET, and players have been scrambling to figure out exactly what qualifies them for the free grant. I have dug through Epic Games Store pages, Reddit threads on r/FortNiteBR and r/btd6, and Ninja Kiwi’s official announcements to put together this complete walkthrough.

Quick Summary: How to Get the Dart Monkey Sidekick for Free

Here is the fastest path to your free Dart Monkey Sidekick:

1. Purchase Bloons TD 6 on the Epic Games Store (PC) or through the Epic Games app on mobile. The PC version costs $13.99, while the mobile version is only $6.99.
2. Use the same Epic Games account that you play Fortnite with. This is the critical step that links your purchase to your Fortnite locker.
3. Wait for the grant. The sidekick is automatically added to your Fortnite locker. Some players see it immediately; others report waiting a few hours.
4. Check your Fortnite Locker. Look under the Sidekicks section for your new Dart Monkey companion.

That is the entire process. No quest completion, no V-Bucks, no extra steps. The sidekick acts as a gift-with-purchase loyalty reward from Epic Games.

What Is the Dart Monkey Sidekick in Fortnite?

The Dart Monkey Sidekick is a cosmetic pet companion in Fortnite that belongs to the Gaming Legends Series rarity tier. It features the iconic monkey character from Bloons TD 6, complete with its signature dart and colorful bandana. When equipped, the little monkey follows you around during matches, adding personality to your gameplay without affecting performance.

This sidekick is part of a broader collaboration between Epic Games and Ninja Kiwi. If you want to read up on the full history of these kinds of crossovers, check out our guide to all Fortnite collaborations and crossovers. The Dart Monkey comes with several customization options including multiple bandana colors that you can unlock through in-game quests called Dart Monkey’s Rewards. It also includes the Bloon Popper emote, which lets your sidekick throw darts at balloons, a fitting nod to its tower defense origins.

Sidekicks in Fortnite are purely cosmetic. They do not give you any combat advantage, stat boost, or gameplay benefit. Think of them as digital pets that tag along and look cool while you play.

How to Get Fortnite Bloons TD 6 Sidekick for Free via Epic Games Store

The most reliable way to get the Dart Monkey Sidekick for free (meaning no V-Bucks spent) is through a qualifying purchase of Bloons TD 6 on the Epic Games Store. Here is the step-by-step process for both PC and mobile.

Step-by-Step for PC Players

1. Open the Epic Games Store on your PC or visit store.epicgames.com in your browser.
2. Search for “Bloons TD 6” in the store search bar.
3. Purchase the game for $13.99. Make sure you are logged into the same Epic Games account you use for Fortnite.
4. Complete the checkout process. The game will be added to your Epic Games library.
5. Launch Fortnite and check your Locker under the Sidekicks category.
6. The Dart Monkey Sidekick should appear automatically. If it does not show up right away, restart Fortnite and check again.

Step-by-Step for Mobile Players (Cheaper Option)

Here is a trick many players miss: you can buy Bloons TD 6 through the Epic Games app on Android or iOS for just $6.99, roughly half the PC price. Mobile players on Reddit discovered this price difference, and it works just as well for getting the sidekick.

1. Download the Epic Games app on your Android or iOS device.
2. Sign in with the same Epic Games account linked to your Fortnite profile.
3. Search for “Bloons TD 6” and purchase it for $6.99.
4. Open Fortnite on any platform connected to that account and check your Locker.
5. The Dart Monkey Sidekick will be waiting for you under Sidekicks.

The mobile route is the cheapest legitimate way to unlock this sidekick. Several players on r/btd6 confirmed this method works as of 2026. Just make sure the purchase goes through the Epic Games Store ecosystem, not the Google Play Store or Apple App Store version of Bloons TD 6.

Important Timing Details

According to the official Epic Games Store FAQ, the Dart Monkey Sidekick began granting to eligible players on April 23, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET. Players who already owned Bloons TD 6 on the Epic Games Store before this date received the sidekick automatically without any additional purchase needed. For new purchasers, the sidekick grant timing varies. Some players report seeing it in their locker within minutes, while others have waited several hours. If you do not see it immediately, give it time before contacting support.

Get the Sidekick by Buying an Eligible In-Game Item in Bloons TD 6

There is a second path to the free sidekick that many guides overlook. If you do not want to buy the base game, you can purchase an eligible in-game item within Bloons TD 6 instead. According to Epic Games, buying any qualifying in-game item through the Epic Games Store version of Bloons TD 6 will also trigger the sidekick grant.

This is particularly relevant for players who grabbed Bloons TD 6 during one of Epic’s free game promotions. If you added Bloons TD 6 to your library when it was free, you do not automatically get the sidekick. The free promotion copies do not count as qualifying purchases. However, if you own the free version and then buy an eligible in-game item worth at least $10, you will qualify for the sidekick. One player on r/FortNiteBR confirmed this exact scenario worked for them after buying a Double Cash in-game pack.

The key distinction is simple: Epic Games wants to see a qualifying transaction on your account. Whether that is the base game purchase or an in-game item, either route unlocks the Dart Monkey Sidekick at no additional V-Bucks cost.

Buy the Dart Monkey Sidekick from the Fortnite Item Shop

If you have no interest in Bloons TD 6 and just want the sidekick, you can buy it directly from the Fortnite Item Shop for 1,500 V-Bucks. The sidekick appears in the shop rotation alongside other Gaming Legends Series cosmetics. Check the shop daily since Item Shop rotations change regularly.

Here is a detail that matters: if you purchase the Dart Monkey Sidekick from the Item Shop and later qualify for the free version through a Bloons TD 6 purchase, Epic Games does issue a refund for the V-Bucks you spent. Multiple players have confirmed receiving their V-Bucks back automatically after qualifying through the Epic Games Store purchase path. This refund typically processes within 24 to 48 hours.

For more guides on scoring free Fortnite cosmetics like this one, we have several step-by-step walkthroughs on the site covering similar promotions.

Eligibility Requirements and Troubleshooting

Not everyone qualifies for the free Dart Monkey Sidekick, and the rules around eligibility have caused confusion in the community. Let me break down exactly who qualifies and what to do if your sidekick has not appeared.

Who Qualifies

• PC players who purchase Bloons TD 6 from the Epic Games Store qualify.
• Mobile players who purchase through the Epic Games app qualify.
• Existing Epic Games Store owners of Bloons TD 6 received the sidekick automatically on April 23, 2026.
• Players who buy eligible in-game items worth $10 or more through the Epic Games version of Bloons TD 6 qualify.

Who Does NOT Qualify

• Steam owners of Bloons TD 6 do not qualify. The offer is exclusive to the Epic Games Store ecosystem.
• Console players who own Bloons TD 6 on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch do not qualify.
• Free promotion recipients who grabbed Bloons TD 6 during Epic’s free giveaways do not qualify unless they make an additional qualifying purchase.
• Players using different accounts for Bloons TD 6 and Fortnite will not receive the sidekick. Account linking is required.

Troubleshooting: Sidekick Not Showing Up

If you made a qualifying purchase but the sidekick has not appeared, try these steps:

1. Verify your purchase was on the Epic Games Store. Check your purchase history at epicgames.com to confirm it was not a Steam or console transaction.
2. Confirm account linking. The Epic Games account used for the purchase must be the same one you use for Fortnite.
3. Restart Fortnite completely. Close the game entirely and relaunch it. Check your Locker under Sidekicks.
4. Wait a few hours. Some grants are not instant. Players on Reddit report wait times ranging from a few minutes to several hours.
5. Check the Fortnite News tab. Sometimes the game displays a notification about the granted sidekick there.
6. Contact Epic Games support if the sidekick has not appeared after 24 hours of a confirmed qualifying purchase.

For more details on earning Fortnite event free rewards, check out our event rewards tracker which covers all active freebies in 2026.

Dart Monkey’s Rewards: Unlockable Styles and Customization

Once you have the Dart Monkey Sidekick, you can unlock additional customization options through the Dart Monkey’s Rewards quest series. These in-game quests give you cosmetic upgrades for your sidekick, including alternate bandana colors that let you personalize your monkey’s look.

The Bloon Popper emote comes included with the sidekick. When activated, your Dart Monkey companion tosses darts at floating balloons, recreating the signature Bloons TD 6 gameplay in miniature form. The emote works in supported game modes and adds a fun visual flourish to your matches.

To access the quest chain, open Fortnite and navigate to the Quests tab. Look for the Dart Monkey’s Rewards section and follow the objectives. Quests typically involve playing matches, earning XP, or completing specific in-game actions. Completing all quests unlocks the full set of bandana color options for your sidekick.

FAQ

Wrapping Up: Your Free Dart Monkey Sidekick Awaits

Getting the Fortnite Bloons TD 6 sidekick for free comes down to one simple requirement: make a qualifying purchase of Bloons TD 6 or an eligible in-game item through the Epic Games Store ecosystem. The mobile route at $6.99 is the most affordable path, while existing Epic Games Store owners received the sidekick automatically on April 23, 2026. Players who want the sidekick without touching Bloons TD 6 can still grab it from the Item Shop for 1,500 V-Bucks, with a refund available if they later qualify through the free method. For a full breakdown of every pet companion available in the game, check out our complete Fortnite sidekicks pricing guide.