Google changes Play Store policies after settling Epic Games dispute Sinisa Markovic, Senior Staff Writer March 5, 2026 Google is making changes to the Play Store after settling its legal fight with Epic Games, focusing on three areas: more billing options, lower fees with new programs for developers, and a program for registered app stores. The rollout begins in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and the United States by June 30, 2026. Australia follows in September, while Japan and South Korea receive the changes by the end of 2026. The rest of the world follows in September 2027. “We believe these changes will make for a stronger Android ecosystem with even more successful developers and higher-quality apps and games available across more form factors for everyone,” the company stated. Expanded billing options Developers publishing apps on Google Play will be able to use their own billing systems alongside Google Play’s payment system. They can also direct users outside the app to complete purchases on their own websites. Google said the goal is to provide developers and users with more flexibility in how transactions are handled while maintaining security for payments. Lower Play Store fees The service fee for in-app purchases tied to new installs will be 20%. Developers participating in the Apps Experience Program or the updated Google Play Games Level Up program will pay 15% on transactions from new installs and 20% for transactions from existing installs. Developers who choose to use Google Play’s billing system will pay a separate billing fee, set at 5% in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and the United States. Subscription transactions will carry a 10% service fee. Registered App Stores program Google is also launching a Registered App Stores program aimed at simplifying the installation of third party Android stores. App stores that meet certain safety and quality requirements will be able to register with Google and receive a more streamlined installation process when users sideload them. “This gives app stores more ways to reach users and gives users more ways to easily and safely access the apps and games they love,” Sameer Samat, president of the Android ecosystem, said in a blog post. The Registered App Stores program begins outside the US first and may expand to the US pending court approval, with rollout planned alongside a major Android release by the end of the year.
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