Google has announced a significant overhaul of its Play Store policies, eliminating its previous 30 percent fee on transactions. This alteration, which applies to how third-party app stores and alternative billing systems operate on Android, is notable as it comes ahead of final judicial consent from a settlement reached with Epic Games in November 2025.
The primary adjustment involves a reduction in the fees Google will impose on developers. Instead of the former 30 percent cut on in-app purchases, Google plans to decrease this to 20 percent, with some instances dropping to 15 percent for new installations from selected developers. Additionally, the fee for subscriptions will be reduced to 10 percent. For developers using Google’s billing system, a five percent fee will now apply in the UK, US, and European Economic Area (EEA), along with a variable market-specific rate elsewhere. The changes also simplify the process for developers seeking to avoid these fees by facilitating access to alternative billing systems.
Google’s revised policies will allow developers to present alternative billing options within their apps or redirect users to external websites for purchases. This approach appears more lenient than Apple’s 2025 framework, which only permitted in-app links to alternative payment methods. Such flexibility has prompted Epic Games to reintroduce its game Fortnite to the Play Store in the US after a successful return to the App Store.
In a bid to integrate third-party app stores on Android, Google has introduced the “Registered App Stores” programme. This initiative will allow qualifying third-party app stores that meet safety and quality standards to offer a more straightforward installation process. Although participation remains optional, Google’s future changes to sideloading may pose challenges for developers opting out of this program.
The revised fee structure will be gradually rolled out, starting in the EEA, UK, and US by June 30, and extending globally by September 30, 2027. Developers wishing to establish their own app stores can expect Google’s Registered App Stores programme to launch alongside a new major Android version later this year.
Test Your Understanding
How much do you know?
