Google is officially scrapping its 30 percent app store fee, cutting the Play Store commission to 20 percent and in some cases 15 percent for developers in new programs. The move, announced ahead of a legal settlement with Epic Games, marks a major shift in how Android handles app distribution and payments. Developers in the UK, US, and EEA will pay just 5 percent for using Google's billing system, with other regions getting market-specific rates.

Third-party app stores will now be able to apply to Google's new Registered App Stores program, which offers a streamlined installation process for stores meeting quality and safety benchmarks. While sideloading remains possible, Google plans to make it harder later in 2026, potentially pushing developers toward the official program. The changes also let developers offer alternative billing systems directly within apps or guide users to external websites for purchases—a more permissive approach than Apple's 2025 settlement.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced that Fortnite will return to the global Play Store soon, as part of a broader push to grow the mobile Epic Games Store. Google's fee reductions and openness to competition arrive as regulators worldwide scrutinize app store practices, signaling a new era for Android's ecosystem.