The settlement between Google and Epic Games finally liberalizes the payment system, allows alternative stores, and reduces fees
The lawsuit filed by Epic Games over Google's app fees has finally been settled, resulting in more official app stores available on Android and lower fees. Both companies have announced that the dispute has been resolved.
Android Developers Blog: A new era for choice and openness
Google's Changes Will Open Android Devices to Competition - Epic Games
https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/news/googles-changes-will-open-android-devices-to-competition-benefiting-developers-and-consumers
The incident began when Epic Games, which introduced its own payment system to avoid Google's fees, was banned from the app store for violating the terms of service. This led to Epic Games suing Google, leading to a legal battle that lasted for about five years.
In November 2025, the two companies reached a settlement, pending court approval.
Epic Games and Google settle lawsuit over app store, Google agrees to lower standard fees to 20% or 9% depending on transaction type - GIGAZINE
On March 4, 2026, the court approved the settlement proposal submitted by Google and Epic Games, resolving the dispute. At the same time, Google announced that it would strengthen Android's openness through three pillars: expanding billing options, introducing a registered app store program, and lowering fees.
◆Expansion of billing options
App developers will be able to use their own billing system within their apps alongside Google Play's billing system, or they can direct users outside the app to their own website to make purchases.
◆Registered App Store Program
We're introducing a new program that will make it easier to install apps from app stores that meet certain quality and safety standards. App stores that join the Registered App Store program will be certified by Google and will have a simplified app installation process. App stores that choose not to participate will continue to use the traditional installation process.
Typically, when an Android user tries to install an app from outside Google Play, security systems like Play Protect warn the user and make them go through the trouble of verifying their identity. Joining the Registered App Store program is expected to eliminate this type of verification.
The Registered App Store program will launch outside the US first with the release of a major Android version, expected sometime in 2026.
◆ Reduction of fees
Google Play's fees are separated into a ' billing system usage fee ' and a ' service fee ,' and the two rates are combined and charged to app developers.
Billing system fees are set at a rate per market, for example 5% in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the US.
The service fee varies depending on the following three patterns:
- For new installs, the commission on in-app purchases will be 20%.
Developers who choose to participate in the Apps Experience program and the revamped Google Play Games Level Up program will receive a 15% commission on new installs and a 20% commission on existing installs.
- The service fee for recurring subscriptions is 10%.
The new fees will be rolled out according to the following schedule:
Until June 30, 2026: EEA, UK, US
- Until September 30, 2026: Australia
- Until December 31, 2026: South Korea and Japan
- Until September 30, 2027: Other countries and regions
Additionally, the App Experience program and Google Play Games Level Up program will launch in the EEA, UK, US, and Australia by September 30, 2026, and will then be rolled out to other regions according to the same schedule.
'We believe these changes will further strengthen the Android ecosystem, enabling more successful developers and more high-quality apps and games to be available across a wide range of environments. We look forward to continuing to work with our developer community to build the next generation of digital experiences,' Google said.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney thanked Google and announced that his company's game, Fortnite, would return to Google Play.
Fortnite will return to Google Play Store worldwide soon. Epic Games Store continues supporting Android worldwide alongside Windows and Mac, and installation on Android will become much easier later in 2026.
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) March 4, 2026
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