Google Play’s monopoly era is finally over
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Google is tearing down the Play Store's walls! For years now, Google has touted the Play Store as an open platform, but the lawsuit with Epic Games (clearly) proved otherwise.
Now, Google is making a major policy shift, one that finally embraces third-party app stores instead of denouncing them. This also marks the end of Google's disputes with Epic Games.
In a new Android Developers blog post, the tech giant announced three major changes: more billing options, a program for registered app stores, and lower fees and new programs for developers.
Expected to go live globally by next year, the Google Play Store will offer developers more choice when it comes to billing. Mobile app developers will be able to continue using Google Play's billing if they wish to. If not, they'll have complete freedom to use their own billing systems in their app.
Alternatively, they'll also have the option to guide users outside 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," wrote the tech giant.
Elsewhere, the tech giant is also introducing a new 'program' that aims to make sideloading 'qualified' app stores an easier affair. Third-party app stores that meet certain quality and safety benchmarks will boast a simplified installation flow, as seen in the image below.
It's worth noting that the 'Registered App Store program' will begin outside the US first. It will expand to the US in the future, subject to court approval.
Google's new business model
Google is explicitly decoupling the Service Fee from the Billing Fee developers are charged for using Google's billing system.
Developers who wish to continue using Google's own billing system will be charged a market-specific rate separate from the service fee. In the US, the European Economic Area (EEA), and the UK, this will be 5 percent.
Developers who choose to use their own billing systems or direct users to a website for purchase will see a different fee rate. "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%," which is down from 30 percent.
Additionally, Google is launching an 'Apps Experience Program' and revamping its existing 'Google Play Games Level Up program.' Developers that participate will incur a 20 percent service fee for transactions from existing installs and a 15 percent fee on transactions from new app installs.
Don't expect the changes to go live immediately. Google says it will have more details to share in the future. For now, it has shared a staggered rollout timelime only:
- 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