Epic Games dispute leads to changes in Google Play policies
Fortnite expected to return to Google Play following settlement agreement.
Google has agreed to major changes to its Play Store policies after settling a long-running legal dispute with Epic Games, the developer behind the popular game Fortnite.
The agreement will reduce the commission Google charges on in-app purchases and introduce new options that make it easier for users to install alternative app stores on Android devices.
Under the new structure, Google will lower its standard commission to 20% on in-app purchases. Developers who choose to use Google’s billing system will pay an additional 5% fee. The company also announced that recurring subscription fees will drop to 10%.
The revised fee structure will begin rolling out in the United States, the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom by June 2026, with expansion to other regions over the following years.
The settlement also introduces a new initiative called the Registered App Stores programme. The programme aims to simplify the installation of alternative app stores on Android while maintaining certain security and quality standards.
Approved third-party stores will be able to offer apps through a more streamlined installation process, addressing long-standing developer complaints that warnings about sideloading discouraged users from installing legitimate alternative marketplaces.
As part of the agreement, Epic Games plans to bring Fortnite back to the Google Play Store globally while continuing to develop its own Epic Games Store for Android. Both companies described the settlement as a step toward a more competitive Android ecosystem.
The dispute between Epic Games and Apple over App Store policies continues separately, reflecting broader industry debates over platform control, developer fees and competition in digital marketplaces.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!