Google is starting to roll out changes to how Google Play handles billing for developers worldwide, replacing its flat 30% fee with a tiered structure — even though the court hasn’t yet signed off on the Epic Games settlement.
Under the new system, apps making over $1 million annually will pay 20% on new in-app purchases and 10% on subscriptions. Developers who use Google Play’s own billing system pay an additional 5%. But Google is also introducing “Games Level Up” and “Apps Experience” programs that offer lower rates for apps that meet quality benchmarks across tablets, smart TVs, and Android Auto.
The shift comes after years of regulatory pressure, most notably Epic Games’ antitrust lawsuit alleging Google held a monopoly over Android app distribution. The settlement, while not yet finalized, is already reshaping how Google approaches app store economics.
Some changes take effect at the end of September, with full global rollout expected after September 30, 2027.
