Google announces an Android app store program and lower developer fees to resolve Epic's antitrust litigation and comply with new rules in Europe and elsewhere
Alphabet Inc.'s Google unveiled a new system for apps on its Android phones and tablets Wednesday, agreeing to easier access …
Bloomberg Leah Nylen
Related Coverage
- A new era for choice and openness Android Developers Blog · Sameer Samat
- Google ends its 30 percent app store fee and welcomes third-party app stores Engadget · Ian Carlos Campbell
- Google settles with Epic Games, drops its Play Store commissions to 20% TechCrunch · Sarah Perez
- Google and Epic announce settlement to end app store antitrust case Ars Technica · Ryan Whitwam
- Google will gradually reduce the commission in Google Play Game World Observer
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- Google's Changes Will Open Android Devices to Competition Benefiting Developers and Consumers Epic Games
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- Google agrees to lower Play Store commissions in settlement with Epic Games: All details Digit · Bhaskar Sharma
- Google didn't silence its biggest critic — it contractually converted him into an advocate Silicon Canals · Christian Kelly
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- Google reportedly muzzles Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney until 2032 Engadget · Mariella Moon
- Major Google Play Store Changes End 30% Fees, Third-Party Stores Easier to Use PCMag · James Peckham
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- Google Ends Its 30% App Store Fee, Welcomes Third-Party App Stores Slashdot · BeauHD
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Discussion
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@ssamat
Sameer Samat
on x
Android has always driven innovation in the industry through its unique flexibility and openness...Today we are announcing big changes...A registered app store program that makes installation of participating app stores easier with a streamlined flow...The ability to use your own…
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@timsweeneyepic
Tim Sweeney
on x
Google is opening up Android all the way with robust support for competing stores, competing payments, and a better deal for all developers. So, we've settled all of our disputes worldwide. THANKS GOOGLE!
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@timsweeneyepic
Tim Sweeney
on x
Fortnite will return to Google Play Store worldwide soon. Epic Games Store continues supporting Android worldwide alongside Windows and Mac, and installation on Android will become much easier later in 2026.
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@vidushi_law
Vidushi Dyall
on x
UPDATE: Epic and Google just filed a new joint modified injunction after the previous version was repeatedly stonewalled. The biggest difference, and closer in line to the court's initial extreme injunction: Google will provide its app catalogue to rival app stores for 3 years. […
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@assembledebug
@assembledebug
on x
Google is introducing a program that makes sideloading qualified app stores even easier. Google's new Registered App Stores program will provide a more streamlined installation flow for Android app stores that meet certain quality and safety benchmarks This Registered App Store …
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@pixeluibygoogle
@pixeluibygoogle
on x
Google is reshaping Android by expanding billing freedom, streamlining third-party app store installations, & lowering service fees through new developer programs. Rollout: June 30, 2026 EEA, UK, US Sep 30, 2026 Australia Dec 31, 2026 Korea, Japan Sep 30, 2027 Rest of the world […
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@tonicdave
David James Bailey
on x
I am so pleased for Epic, Tim rightly called this issue out (at huge personal cost) and now things are changing for the benefit of all consumers. Two great companies 👊
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@carnage4life
Dare Obasanjo
on bluesky
Epic losing the App Store case against Apple but winning against Google which is technically more open is a great lesson in setting expectations. — Apple never set the expectation it was open while Google claimed to be but actually wasn't in practice.
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@nicetopatrick
@nicetopatrick
on bluesky
lmao i hope it hurts google [embedded post]
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@zhugeex.com
Daniel Ahmad
on bluesky
This is huge news. Epic essentially got what it wanted. — Alternative payments, Alternative App Stores, Lower Commission Fees. — Android is more open than it ever has been. [embedded post]
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r/Android
r
on reddit
A new era for choice and openness [more billing options, a program for registered app stores, and lower fees and new programs for developers]
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@github_skydoves
@github_skydoves
on x
Google just announced several changes aimed at increasing choice and openness in the Android ecosystem, with notable implications for developers. One of the biggest shifts is around Play Store service fees. The traditional 30% fee model is being reduced, with many cases moving
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@daveoshry
Dave NewBlood
on x
Well how bout that
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@jorgecastillopr
Jorge Castillo
on x
This is big news. Android announces lower prices for developers on Google Play, and the ability to use your own billing alongside Google Play Billing, and lower service fees.
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@artemr
Artem Russakovskii
on x
A pretty big set of commitments from Google here. Love to see it. Thank you for fighting the good fight @EpicGames @TimSweeneyEpic!
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@halfbakedsteve
Steve Allison
on x
Extremely exciting news! Congrats to all involved. It's been an incredible experience to have been a small part of the journey. What an excellent outcome for all mobile developers and operators of alternative app stores now and in the future!
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@elonmusk
Elon Musk
on x
@TimSweeneyEpic Cool
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@attilablenesi
Attila
on x
A welcome change for Android 💚
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@timsweeneyepic
Tim Sweeney
on x
@elonmusk Hi Elon! Big Mars fan here. Please bring X and Grok to the Epic Games Store where you can process your own payments and keep 100% with no store fees and host ads that link to app downloads on any store and oh btw also follow @greg16676935420 he's a cool guy! kthxbye!
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@moomanibe
@moomanibe
on bluesky
one of those classic reminders that when a big company says their lawsuit is for the people: it isn't — arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026... [image]
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r/technology
r
on reddit
Google and Epic announce settlement to end app store antitrust case | The era of the 30 percent app store cut has ended.
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r/fuckepic
r
on reddit
As part of a reworking of the settlement between Epic and Google, Tim Sweeney has signed away his rights to criticize Google for their Play Store policies until 2032 at the latest.
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@iamcha0tik
@iamcha0tik
on x
Isn't Google still locking down Sideloading? It can't truly be a true open platform when they are taking away one of the aspects that are making the platform open. Having to go through any storefront is still a form of locking down the platform.
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@epicnewsroom
@epicnewsroom
on x
Google is opening up Android devices to competition for stores and payment systems globally and we've settled our disputes around the world. See our post here: https://www.epicgames.com/...
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@maxrovensky
Max Rovensky
on x
HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHSHSHSAHAHAH AHA Tim Swooney blocked me for pointing out that his regulatory bait attempt failed and cost him a bunch of money over the years Boy how the turntables
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@anthonyronning
Anthony Ronning
on x
What's interesting is that they also effectively paid for extra Apple criticism. [image]
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@gamedevmicah
@gamedevmicah
on x
Damn, what a headline!
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@deantak
Dean Takahashi
on x
Fortnite is back on Android. And huge news with Google slashing platform fees and allowing payment choice on Google Play Store. https://gamesbeat.com/...
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@timsweeneyepic
Tim Sweeney
on x
And thanks Samsung! https://developer.samsung.com/ ...
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@timsweeneyepic
Tim Sweeney
on x
Current Mood: [image]
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@timsweeneyepic
Tim Sweeney
on x
Whoa! The Apple-funded trade group claiming to represent small developers has come out endorsing Google's solution for open, untaxed app store competition! Mobile platforms are opening up so fast they've forgotten Apple still blocks all competing stores outside EU and Japan.