Google has decided to eliminate its longstanding 30 percent commission on transactions within the Play Store, while introducing modifications to Android's approach toward third-party app marketplaces and non-Google payment options. These adjustments arise from the agreement Google finalized with Epic in November 2025, yet the company is proceeding with overhauls to the Android platform and Play Store ahead of any court ratification, making the shifts public immediately.
The most notable update concerns Google's revenue share from Android app developers. Developers using the Play Store for in-app transactions will now face a reduced 20 percent fee from Google, dropping further to 15 percent for certain fresh app downloads by those enrolled in the newly launched App Experience initiative or the revised Google Play Games Level Up initiative. These reductions also apply to subscription revenues, where Google's portion decreases to 10 percent. Regarding its own payment infrastructure, Google indicates that developers in the United Kingdom, United States, or European Economic Area will incur a five percent charge plus a regionally adjusted rate elsewhere. To sidestep these costs, integrating other payment methods is becoming simpler.
According to Google, developers can now integrate competing payment solutions directly within their apps or direct users beyond the app to external websites for transactions. This framework, as outlined by Google, seems more accommodating than Apple's 2025 agreement, which restricts iOS App Store developers to merely linking from apps to web-based alternative payments. Such provisions influenced Epic's decision to restore Fortnite to the US App Store in May 2025. The title returned to the US Play Store that December, and Epic's CEO Tim Sweeney announced today that Fortnite will expand to availability worldwide on Google's platform in the near future.
Epic's primary aim involves promoting adoption of its mobile Epic Games Store. In tandem, Google's disclosure covers provisions for third-party app marketplaces on Android. These external stores can submit applications to the fresh 'Registered App Stores' framework to verify compliance with established standards for quality and security. Approval grants them access to an optimized setup process in Android. Involvement remains voluntary, allowing users to manually install unregistered alternatives, though Google demonstrates a clear inclination toward the formal route. Modifications to manual installations planned for later in 2026 may intentionally complicate the procedure, potentially encouraging developers toward Google's initiative.
Due to the extensive nature of these reforms, implementation will occur progressively across regions. Google anticipates deploying the revised commission model to the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, and United States by June 30, extending to Australia by September 30, South Korea and Japan by December 31, and globally by September 30, 2027. The enhanced Google Play Games Level Up initiative and the new App Experience initiative will debut in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, United States, and Australia on September 30, followed by broader rollout aligned with the commission updates. For entities aiming to operate their own app marketplaces, Google plans to initiate the Registered App Stores framework alongside a significant Android version update before year's end, starting availability in select areas prior to the United States.
Google has previously adjusted its app revenue policies, notably in 2021 by reducing commissions to 15 percent on developers' initial $1 million in earnings and for subscriptions. The current alterations appear driven significantly by regulatory pressures stemming from Epic's legal actions against Google and Apple. Additionally, a distinct commercial arrangement with Epic underpins these moves. While the settlement with Epic forms the foundation, reports from The Verge in January revealed an $800 million collaborative venture between the firms focused on innovation and Google's integration of Epic's foundational technologies. Permitting developers greater retention of earnings benefits the ecosystem, yet this represents a strategic choice for Google, presumably offering mutual advantages.