Google cuts Play Store fees as Epic settlement reshapes Android app payments

Google is moving away from the old “up to 30%” Play Store commission model, with reporting indicating most fees will fall into a 10%–20% range under a new structure tied to purchase type and billing approach.

The changes are linked to Google’s proposed settlement with Epic Games, which still requires court approval.

Official docs now spell out fees for off-Play payments and external links

Google’s own Play Console Help pages already outline the fee levels developers will pay for programs that route users to external payment methods or external content links.

For the External Payments program, Google says fees on qualifying external transactions will be 10% for auto-renewing subscriptions and 20% for other in-app digital content, with 10% applying to transactions within the first $1M (USD) of annual developer earnings for eligible developers.

For the External content links program, Google lists the same 10% subscription / 20% other structure (with the first $1M at 10% for eligible developers) and also adds an “app download event” fee per install within 24 hours of the click: $2.85 for apps and $3.65 for games.

Alternative billing and third-party stores get easier — and that’s the real story

Beyond “lower fees,” the bigger structural change is Android opening up around billing and distribution.

Google’s developer documentation and policies already recognize that sales can occur through Google Play Billing or approved alternatives (under its payments rules), which is the foundation for broader “choice” remedies and settlement terms.

Reporting also says Google plans a “Registered App Stores” approach that reduces friction for installing rival Android app stores from the web, alongside expanded options for developer billing systems.

What to watch next

The timeline matters as much as the percentages. The settlement-linked rollout described by major outlets begins in the US/UK/Europe first, with broader global changes staged later, depending on the program and court outcome.