The authorized battle between Google and Epic Games goes again to 2020, when the previous pulled Fortnite from the Play Retailer over billing disputes. Since then, the 2 tech titans have decked it out in numerous courtrooms. However now, the 2 sides have apparently reached a settlement, pending the approval of the courtroom.
Google’s president of Android ecosystem, Sameer Samat, shared the announcement on-line and touted “a proposed set of adjustments to Android and Google Play that target increasing developer selection and adaptability, decreasing charges, and inspiring extra competitors all whereas preserving customers secure.”
Thrilling information! Along with Epic Games we’ve filed a proposed set of adjustments to Android and Google Play that target increasing developer selection and adaptability, decreasing charges, and inspiring extra competitors all whereas preserving customers secure. If accepted, this could resolve our…
— Sameer Samat (@ssamat) November 5, 2025
Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney rapidly added a message of his personal concerning the settlement. Sweeney referred to as it “a complete answer,” earlier than reminding everybody that Epic’s ongoing battle with Apple is much from over. He mentioned Google’s actions stand “in distinction to Apple’s mannequin of blocking all competing shops and leaving funds as the one vector for competitors.”
Google has made an superior proposal, topic to courtroom approval, to open up Android within the US Epic v Google case and settle our disputes. It genuinely doubles down on Android’s unique imaginative and prescient as an open platform to streamline competing retailer installs globally, scale back service charges… https://t.co/Q6E4XE3ych
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) November 5, 2025
Final yr, Epic gained a short lived victory over Google that may have pressured the latter to hold rival app shops in Google Play for a interval of three years. It additionally required Google to cease forcing devs to make use of Google Play Billing for consumer funds.
Instead, the settlement would characteristic a deal that runs by way of June 2032 and could be legitimate worldwide, not simply within the US. Google’s new phrases would drop its commonplace payment for apps to twenty% or 9%, relying on the kind of transaction. It additionally pledges to let exterior app shops register with Google and attain clients extra simply.
Google spokesperson Dan Jackson informed The Verge that the proposed payment adjustments are separate from Google Play Billing. However customers could have the choice to pay with different billing methods.
“If the consumer chooses to pay by way of another billing system, the developer pays no billing payment to Google,” mentioned Jackson.
Epic Games and Google will meet with the presiding decide later this week to debate the settlement. If the courtroom indicators off on it, their authorized struggle can be over.