Android on the Brink of Change: Google and Epic Games Ready to End Five-Year War over the Play Store

A U.S. court will review the proposed settlement between Google and Epic Games that concerns fees, off-store payments, and access to third‑party app stores.

Google and Epic Games jointly filed a proposed settlement with a U.S. court that could bring one of the mobile industry’s most high‑profile cases to a close. The agreement envisions broad reforms to Android and the Google Play Store.

Under the terms, Google would permit developers to distribute apps and accept payments outside the Play Store, including via third‑party payment systems and external links. Commissions would be capped at either 9% or 20% (depending on the transaction type) instead of the previous 30%.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney described the proposals as “a return to Android’s original vision as an open platform.” He also took a dig at Apple, saying “Google is moving toward openness, while Apple continues to block competing stores.”

A court hearing to approve the settlement is set for the upcoming Thursday. If the agreement is ratified, it would represent the most significant revision of Play Store rules since its inception and would establish a precedent across the industry.

Remember, the dispute dates back to 2020, when Epic attempted to bypass Google’s 30% fee by implementing its own payment system within Fortnite. Google responded by removing the game from the Play Store, and Epic filed suit, accusing the company of monopolizing the mobile app market. Since then the parties have engaged in protracted legal battles spanning multiple cases, including a separate action involving Samsung.

Source: iXBT.games