On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, Google officially announced a global settlement with Epic Games, effectively ending a six-year legal battle that began when Fortnite was kicked off the Play Store in 2020.
The deal marks the end of the “30% industry standard,” with Google dismantling its long-standing commission structure in favor of a more flexible, competitive model.
The New Fee Architecture
Google has unbundled its “Service Fee” from its “Billing Fee,” allowing developers to choose which services they actually want to pay for.
| Transaction Type | New Total Rate | Breakdown |
| Standard In-App Purchase | 20% | (Default service fee for new installs) |
| Quality-Incentivized App | 15% | (For Apps Experience/Level Up programs) |
| Recurring Subscriptions | 10% | (Permanent reduction from 15%) |
| Google Play Billing | +5% | (Optional fee if using Google’s payment tech) |
Note: If a developer uses their own billing system (like Stripe) and qualifies for the “Apps Experience” program, their total fee to Google could be as low as 15%.
The “Registered App Stores” Program
Beyond the fees, the most structural change is how Android handles rival marketplaces.
- Seamless Installation: Approved third-party stores (like the Epic Games Store, Amazon Appstore, or Aptoide) can now be installed with a “streamlined” flow that removes the aggressive security warnings and “scare screens” traditionally associated with sideloading.
- Play Store Distribution: Per the settlement, Google is expected to allow these registered rival stores to be discoverable and downloadable directly through the Play Store.
- Safety Audits: To qualify, third-party stores must undergo a Google-led “quality and safety audit” to ensure they meet ecosystem standards for malware protection.
Fortnite’s Global Return
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney confirmed that Fortnite will return to the Google Play Store worldwide later in 2026.
“Google is opening up Android all the way with robust support for competing stores, competing payments, and a better deal for all developers. THANKS GOOGLE!” — Tim Sweeney
Rollout Timeline
The changes will be implemented in stages to comply with different regional regulations:
- June 30, 2026: Live in the U.S., UK, and European Economic Area (EEA).
- September 30, 2026: Live in Australia.
- December 31, 2026: Live in South Korea and Japan.
- September 30, 2027: Global rollout completed.
The “Verified Developer” Catch
While opening up to stores, Google is tightening security for individual apps. Starting in September 2026, every app installed on a certified Android device—even those sideloaded from a website—must come from a Verified Developer registered with a government ID. This move aims to curb the 50x higher malware rate found in anonymous sideloaded apps.
