Google lets U.S. developers bypass Play Store fees

Google has officially allowed developers in the United States to bypass Google Play’s in-app payment fees, which previously reached up to 30%.

The change follows a court order stemming from a 2020 lawsuit filed by Epic Games, which accused Google of abusing its market dominance by banning alternative payment systems in Fortnite.

According to the updated developer policy, US-based app makers can now accept payments through third-party systems without paying a commission to Google and may also direct users to external websites to purchase content or download apps. It marks the first time since Android Market’s launch that Google has been forced to alter its Play Store rules by court order rather than choice.

Judge James Donato’s injunction will remain in effect until November 1, 2027. Google stated it will comply “while the order is in force” but continues to seek its reversal, having already filed a petition with the US Supreme Court after earlier appeals were denied.

Another phase of the ruling takes effect in July 2026, requiring Google to give third-party app stores access to a mirrored version of the Play catalog and allow them to distribute apps through their own platforms. However, according to Ars Technica, Google still intends to maintain tight control over the Android ecosystem.

The company plans to introduce mandatory developer verification to protect users from malicious software. Apps from unverified developers will not be installable on certified Android devices, even if downloaded outside Google Play.