Google and Epic Games move toward settlement: Proposal includes lowering fees for alternative payment methods and making it easier to install third-party app stores

Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/491/G049103/20251106072/

Editorial Department: Kokutō | 2025/11/06 11:42 (UTC)

Google and Epic Games have agreed to app store reforms—including a reduction in Google Play’s commission fees—and submitted a series of proposed changes to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco. Once approved by the court, this agreement will bring an end to the ongoing litigation between the two companies.

The image is from the Android version of the Epic Games Store download page (external link) Image Gallery No.002 thumbnail / Google and Epic Games reach settlement; proposal includes reduced fees for alternative payment methods and easier installation of third-party app stores

According to Reuters, the proposed settlement will be reviewed by Judge Dolly M. Gee, who presided over Epic Games’ 2023 lawsuit against Google and previously issued a comprehensive order requiring reforms to the Google Play Store. At that time, Google had contested the ruling, arguing it would undermine competitiveness and user safety.

OTHERS iPhone iPad Android Industry News

Epic Games wins lawsuit against Google; court rules Google Play’s payment system is anti-competitive

Approximately three years after Epic Games filed a lawsuit following the removal of Fortnite from Apple’s App Store and Google Play due to its introduction of an alternative mobile payment system, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled on December 11, 2023, in favor of Epic Games—finding that Google Play violated antitrust laws.

[December 12, 2023, 5:21 PM]

The new settlement agreement includes provisions allowing developers to guide users toward alternative payment methods via in-app or external links, and sets a cap on fees for transactions using such alternatives at 20%, down from the previous 9%. This fee cap will apply to titles first installed or updated from Google Play after October 30, U.S. time.

It also includes measures designed to make it easier for users to install third-party app stores that meet new security standards.

Sameer Samat, head of the Android ecosystem, commented that these changes will expand developer choice and flexibility while promoting competition through lower fees—all without compromising user safety.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney echoed this sentiment in a post, calling the agreement an inclusive solution that strengthens Android’s original vision as an open platform. He contrasted it with Apple’s model of blocking competing app stores.

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. It genuinely doubles down on Android’s original vision as an open platform to streamline competing store installs globally, reduce service fees… https://t.co/Q6E4XE3ych

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) November 5, 2025

Reuters report: Google proposes app store reforms in settlement with ‘Fortnite’ maker Epic Games

Settlement agreement between Google and Epic Games (PDF, Reuters)

Download page for Android version of “Epic Games Store”

OTHERS Industry News

Epic Games wins again in lawsuit against Google; court orders liberalization of payment methods and bans restrictions disadvantaging other app stores on Google Play

A ruling has been issued in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California regarding Epic Games’ 2020 antitrust (competition law) lawsuit against Google. The court ordered Google to cease forcing use of its “Play Billing” system and to stop restricting other payment methods on Google Play.

[October 8, 2024, 5:32 PM]