Google agrees to lower Android Play Store commissions and offer a pathway for rival payment options and app stores to receive certification, signaling a potential end to the Epic Games antitrust dispute.

The updated fee structure will roll out globally, with a phased timetable: by June 30, 2026 in the EEA, UK, and US; by September 30, 2026 in Australia; by December 31, 2026 in Korea and Japan; and by September 30, 2027 for the rest of the world.

New terms set commission levels at 10-20% depending on program and region, and recurring subscriptions will be charged at a 10% fee under the new terms.

In addition, the rollout includes more open billing options and a program to support alternative app stores and third-party payment methods.

The settlement arrives amid broader antitrust scrutiny of Alphabet and Google and is framed as part of ongoing regulatory and market dynamics affecting app distribution.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney underscored that the goal is to increase competition and open access across Android, highlighting the broader push for open platforms.

While Epic pursues open platforms, officials acknowledge that Apple’s App Store presents different legal dynamics, making a similar settlement unlikely there.

The agreement may influence sideloading rules and push developers toward one of multiple certified storefronts, potentially affecting distribution choices.

Under the updated framework, developers could gain new opportunities to publish apps and explore non-traditional distribution methods.

The timeline aligns with prior rulings and orders from a 2023 trial finding Play Store practices unlawful, with the Supreme Court declining to hear related appeal.

Both Epic and Google have signaled support for the settlement, which requires court approval and aims to resolve the dispute globally, not just in the U.S.

Overall, the settlement signals long-term shifts in app store economics, payment options, and platform diversity for Android apps.