Google ends its 30 percent app store fee and welcomes third-party app stores

Google is officially doing away with its 30 percent cut of Play Store transactions and is revamping how third-party app stores and alternate billing systems are handled on Android. Google is lowering its standard cut to 20 percent, and in some cases 15 percent for new installs from developers participating in its new App Experience program or the updated Google Play Games Level Up program. Subscription fees will drop to a 10 percent cut. For Google's billing system, developers in the UK, US, and European Economic Area will be charged a five percent fee and a market-specific rate in other regions. Developers will be able to offer alternative billing systems alongside Google's or guide users outside their apps to company websites for purchases. Third-party app stores can apply to a new Registered App Stores program to meet quality and safety benchmarks and, if approved, use a streamlined installation interface. Participation is optional and sideloading remains possible, though planned changes in 2026 could make sideloading more difficult and encourage use of Google's program. The updated fee structure will roll out to the EEA, the UK, and the US by June 30; Australia by September 30; Korea and Japan by December 31; and worldwide by September 30, 2027. The App Experience and updated Level Up programs launch in the EEA, the UK, the US, and Australia on September 30, with other regions to follow. These changes were influenced by Google's settlement with Epic and ongoing regulatory scrutiny; Epic's Fortnite will soon be available in Google's app store globally.

Update: 02 May 2026