According to Wccftech, Epic Games and Google have reached a settlement ending their nearly four-year legal battle that began in August 2020. Google’s Android ecosystem president Sameer Samat announced proposed changes that would lower Google Play fees to 20% for gameplay advantage purchases and just 9% for other in-app purchases. Starting with the next major Android release through June 30, 2032, users will be able to install competing app stores directly from websites with a single click. Alternative payment options will appear side-by-side with Google Play Billing, and Epic CEO Tim Sweeney called this a “comprehensive solution” that doubles down on Android’s original open vision. The changes would apply globally rather than just in the US, and both companies will present the proposal to Judge Donato tomorrow for approval.
<h2 id="what-this-means-for-developers”>What this means for developers
This is huge for developers who’ve been complaining about Google’s 30% cut for years. Basically, we’re looking at fee reductions that could save developers serious money – especially those whose apps don’t involve gameplay advantages. But here’s the thing: the real win might be the payment flexibility. When developers can show Google’s payment system alongside their own alternatives, that creates actual competition. And competition usually means better rates for everyone.
Think about it – if you’re a developer building a subscription service, seeing that 9% fee versus Google’s standard cut could be the difference between profitability and just scraping by. Tim Sweeney isn’t wrong when he says this stands in contrast to Apple’s approach. Apple’s still fighting tooth and nail to keep everything locked down, while Google’s basically admitting their previous model wasn’t working.
The bigger picture
What’s really interesting is the global scope of these changes. This isn’t just another regional workaround – Google’s committing to opening up Android worldwide for the next eight years. That’s a massive shift from their previous strategy of creating different rules for different regions. It suggests they saw the writing on the wall after losing in court and decided to go all-in on the “open platform” narrative they’ve always claimed to champion.
And let’s be real – this settlement probably saves both companies a fortune in legal fees. Epic already scored a complete victory against Google in December 2023 that was upheld on appeal. Google even tried taking it to the Supreme Court earlier this month with no success. At some point, continuing to fight just doesn’t make business sense, especially when the court has already ruled against you.
What happens next
Now we wait for Judge Donato’s approval tomorrow. If she signs off, this becomes the new reality for Android. We’ll see competing app stores popping up everywhere, and users will finally get that “freedom of choice” Android has always promised but never fully delivered. The eight-year timeframe through 2032 gives developers plenty of runway to build alternative distribution channels without worrying about Google changing the rules next year.
The real question is whether this settlement pressures Apple to make similar concessions. Probably not immediately – Apple’s playing a different game with their walled garden approach. But when developers see what’s possible on Android, the pressure on Apple will only intensify. This could be the beginning of the end for the 30% app store tax era across the entire mobile industry.
