Google and Epic strike a deal to fix the Play Store

Google and Epic have been embroiled in a legal tussle for a few years now. In 2023, a jury found Google guilty of illegally monopolizing the Play Store and its Play Billing service. While Google filed an appeal soon after, a US appeals court denied that request, forcing the company to roll out major changes to the Play Store in the US. Now, in a surprising turn of events, Google and Epic Games have finally called a truce.

Sameer Samat, the President of Android Ecosystem, posted on X that Google and Epic Games have submitted a combined proposal to the court on the changes they plan to make to Android and Google Play. The senior executive says the changes will “focus on expanding developer choice and flexibility, lowering fees, and encouraging more competition all while keeping users safe.”

Tim Sweeney, the founder and CEO of Epic Games, praised Google’s proposal, calling it “awesome.” He even calls out Google’s approach as being the direct opposite of Apple, which has blocked third-party App Stores on its platform.

Sweeney further states that the proposed changes will reduce the Play Store fees for developers and open Android to further competition.

If approved by the court, this would also end the legal battle between the two companies.

Google’s proposed changes will open the Play Store

Reuters shared more details about the joint proposal from Google and Epic Games. As part of the changes, Google will allow users to easily download and install third-party app stores on their devices that adhere to its new security and safety guidelines. That’s another issue altogether, as Google wants to verify the identity of developers who distribute apps outside the Play Store.

While this might be better for security, Google has been heavily criticized for the controversial policy changes, as it can effectively kill sideloading on Android.

Developers will also be free to use alternative payment methods, both within apps and through external links. The service will be either 9% or 20% for apps listed on the Play Store that use third-party payment processing. It is now up to Judge Donato to approve or reject the proposal.