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04 March 2026
Expanded billing choice on Google Play for users and developers
Google Play is giving developers even more billing choice and freedom in how they handle transactions. Mobile developers will have the option to use their own billing systems in their app alongside Google Play’s billing, or they can guide users outside of their app to their own websites for purchases. Our goal is to offer this flexibility in a way that maximizes choice and safety for users.
Leading the way in store choice
We’re introducing a program that makes sideloading qualified app stores even easier. Our new Registered App Stores program will provide a more streamlined installation flow for Android app stores that meet certain quality and safety benchmarks.
Once this change has rolled out, app stores that choose to participate in this optional program will have registered with us and so users who sideload them will have a more simplified installation flow (see graphic below). If a store chooses not to participate, nothing changes for them and they retain the same experience as any other sideloaded app on Android.
This gives app stores more ways to reach users and gives users more ways to easily and safely access the apps and games they love.
This Registered App Store program will begin outside of the US first, and we intend to bring it to the US as well, subject to court approval.
Lower pricing and new programs to support developers
Google Play’s fees are already the lowest among major app stores, and today we are taking this even further by introducing a new business model that decouples fees for using our billing system and introduces new, lower service fees. Once this rolls out:
Billing: For those developers who choose to use Google Play’s billing system, they will be charged a market-specific rate separate from the service fee. In the European Economic Area (EEA), UK, and US that rate will be 5%.
Service Fees:
For new installs (first time installs from users after the new fees are launched in a region), we are reducing the in-app purchase (IAP) service fee to 20%.
We are launching an Apps Experience Program and revamping our Google Play Games Level Up program to incentivize building great software experiences across Android form factors associated with clear quality benchmarks and enhanced user benefits. Those developers who choose to participate in these programs will have even lower rates. Participating IAP developers will have a 20% service fee for transactions from existing installs and a 15% fee on transactions from new app installs.
Our service fee for recurring subscriptions will be 10%.
Rollout timelines
This is a significant evolution, and we plan to share additional details in the coming months. To make sure we have enough time to build the necessary technical infrastructure, enable a seamless transition for developers, and ensure alignment with local regulations, these updated fees will roll out on the following staggered schedule:
By June 30: EEA, the United Kingdom and the US.
By September 30: Australia
By December 31: Korea and Japan
By September 30, 2027: The updates will reach the rest of the world.
We will also launch the updated Google Play Games Level Up program and new App Experience program by September 30 for EEA, UK, US, and Australia and then it will roll out in line with the rest of the schedule above.
We plan to launch Registered App Stores with a version of a major Android release by the end of the year.
Resolving disputes with Epic Games
With these updates, we have also resolved our disputes worldwide with Epic Games.
We believe these changes will make for a stronger Android ecosystem with even more successful developers and higher-quality apps and games available across more form factors for everyone. We look forward to our continued work with the developer community to build the next generation of digital experiences.
Android Developers
Google Play
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