Google and Epic Games Settlement Opens Android to Third-Party App Stores Globally
Google and Epic Games have reached a landmark settlement that will allow third-party app stores to operate globally on Android devices through June 2032. The agreement, pending approval from Judge James Donato, follows years of litigation and extends Epic's prior U.S. court victory to a worldwide scale.
The new framework introduces a reduced fee structure of 9–20% for app developers, with added flexibility for external payment options. This shift could catalyze innovation across global app markets, though enforcement mechanisms remain undefined. The deal represents the most significant change to Google's app distribution policies since the launch of the Play Store.
Discussions on the settlement are scheduled for November 6, 2025. The outcome may reshape the competitive landscape for digital storefronts, offering Android users unprecedented choice in app distribution and payment systems.
