Google said it will reduce the Play Store commission to 20% for in-app purchases, and add 5% if app developers choose to use Google's payment system.
They are also making it easier for users to install alternative app stores through a new optional program called the Registered App Stores program.
With these updates, we have also resolved global disputes with Epic Games," Google said in a blog post on the company.
These changes are part of a new agreement between the two technology rivals, allowing Epic Games to bring the game Fortnite back to the Google Play Store globally, while investing in its own alternative app store, the Epic Games Store for Android.
According to the agreement, Google's Registered App Store program will provide a simpler installation process for users who want to install applications from outside Google Play.
Another notable change is the adjustment of the Play Store's commission structure. Like Apple, Google's default commission is 30%, with the fee reduced to 15% for periodic subscription packages. Now, the fee will be even lower: the new "Service fee" will be 20% for purchases within the application when newly installed and 10% for periodic subscription packages.
However, this fee does not include the use of Google's own payment system - that fee is another 5%. This fee applies in the US, the European Economic Area (EEA) and the United Kingdom. Other countries will have their own fees according to their markets.
There will be new programs for developers, including the Application Experience Program and the improved Google Play Game Level Upgrade program, both of which encourage developers to build quality experiences on Android.
Developers who choose to participate in these programs will pay a commission of 20% for transactions that take place during their existing application installments, but only pay a commission of 15% for transactions from new application installments.
These new fees will take effect on June 30, 2026 in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom and the United States. New developer programs will also be launched at that time.
Australia will be applied a new fee structure on September 30, followed by South Korea and Japan on December 31. The new fee will be expanded to the global market on September 30, 2027.
We believe that these changes will create a stronger Android ecosystem, with more successful developers and higher quality applications and games, available on more devices for everyone. We want to continue to cooperate with the developer community to build the next generation of digital experiences," Google shared.
