Google has agreed to a major settlement with Epic Games, promising wide-ranging changes to the Play Store and Android ecosystem. The two companies filed a joint agreement with the court last night, which, if approved, would leave Apple as the only major tech firm still entangled in a public antitrust battle with Epic.
As part of the deal, Google will allow Android developers to use alternative payment systems inside apps or via external links, moving away from the mandatory Google Play Billing system. It will also formally support “Registered App Stores”, independent marketplaces that can be installed alongside Google Play. Epic Games is expected to become one of these registered stores, enabling it to distribute its own catalogue of apps directly on Android devices.
Under the new model, Google will charge developers between 9 and 20 percent in service fees, depending on transaction type and date of install. These reduced fees will apply globally, not just in the United States. Developers choosing Google Play Billing will pay an additional five percent on top of the base rate.
For clarity, Google will charge a 9 percent fee on in-app subscriptions, non-game purchases, and cosmetic game items such as skins or levels. Game-related purchases offering tangible gameplay advantages, such as power-ups or loot boxes, will attract a 20 percent fee. In mixed bundles that include both cosmetic and performance-affecting items, the higher 20 percent rate will apply.
The agreement also prevents Google from offering exclusivity deals that give apps preferential launch access on Google Play. Developers can now freely communicate with users about better pricing options available outside Google Play and are no longer required to offer identical features across app stores.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney described the settlement as “awesome” and praised it as a “comprehensive solution that stands in contrast to Apple’s model of blocking competing stores.” The move effectively allows Epic to establish its own Epic Games Store on Android with minimal fees, the very goal that sparked its lawsuits against both Apple and Google back in 2020.
While this settlement could indirectly influence Apple’s ongoing case with Epic, the two battles differ in outcome. Apple largely won its case, with the court ruling it did not hold a monopoly, though it was ordered to allow developers to link to web-based payment options. In contrast, Google lost its case, with a jury finding it guilty of maintaining an illegal monopoly and charging excessive fees.
Google’s settlement comes as regulators worldwide tighten scrutiny on digital marketplaces and platform fees. The court will review the proposed agreement on November 6, and if approved, the changes could reshape how Android apps are distributed and monetised.
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