Overview
- Google published concrete rules allowing in‑app use of third‑party billing or links to external purchase sites in place of Play Billing.
- The company separated fees into a 5% billing charge in the EEA, UK and US plus lower service fees, including 20% for in‑app purchases on new installs, 15% for eligible program participants and 10% for subscriptions.
- The new fee structure begins June 30, 2026 in the US, UK and EEA, expands to Australia on September 30 and to Korea and Japan on December 31, with worldwide rollout completed by September 30, 2027.
- A Registered App Stores program will streamline installation for certified third‑party stores, launching outside the US first and targeting introduction with a major Android release by year‑end, with US availability subject to court approval.
- Epic Games said worldwide disputes with Google are resolved and signaled Fortnite’s return to Play, while a reported settlement term restricts Epic’s public criticism of Google until five years after the rollout completes.