Google and Epic Signs Deal for Third-party Stores

Business

06 November 2025 10:09

Google and Epic Games may finally be putting an end to their long legal battle. The two companies have reached a deal that could open the door for third-party app stores to be available on Android devices all over the world.

The fight between the two tech giants started years ago over how apps and payments work on Android. In October 2024, a U.S. judge ruled that Google had to allow other app stores to be offered through Google Play. Then, in another ruling, Google was told it couldn’t force users to pay only through its own billing system. However, both decisions only applied in the United States—until now.

Google and Epic recently submitted a joint motion that would expand those changes worldwide. Under the new proposal, third-party app stores could be distributed across all Android markets, and Google would charge lower service fees. Instead of taking its usual 30% cut, Google would collect either 9% or 20%, depending on the type of purchase.

According to the plan, these new fees will only affect new app installs—defined as apps first downloaded or updated from Google Play after October 30, 2025. The 20% rate would apply to things like loot boxes or purchases that give players real gameplay advantages, while the 9% rate would apply to cosmetic items, subscriptions, and non-game app purchases.

The deal still needs approval from a U.S. court, with a hearing set for November 6. If approved, it will last until 2032 and take effect globally.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney praised the proposal, calling it a big step forward. “Google has made an awesome proposal, subject to court approval, to open up Android in the US Epic v Google case and settle our disputes,” Sweeney wrote on X. “It genuinely doubles down on Android's original vision as an open platform... and enable third-party in-app and web payments.”

He also compared the deal to Apple’s stricter rules, saying, “This is a comprehensive solution, which stands in contrast to Apple’s model of blocking all competing stores.”

Sameer Samat, Google’s president of Android, also expressed excitement. “Exciting news! Together with Epic Games we have filed a proposed set of changes to Android and Google Play that focus on expanding developer choice and flexibility, lowering fees, and encouraging more competition all while keeping users safe,” he said. “If approved, this would resolve our litigations.”

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Tags: Epic Games Google

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