“Fortnite” returning to the Play Store worldwide after Google lowers fees and opens Android
After years of fighting with “Fortnite” maker Epic Games, Google is hitting reset on Android — cutting Play Store fees, loosening its grip on billing, and making it easier for rival app stores to set up shop on millions of devices.
The move could also dent one of Google’s lucrative businesses: Play Store commissions.
In a blog post Tuesday, Google said it will let developers use their own billing systems alongside Google Play’s, link out to external purchase pages, and distribute apps through third-party app stores that meet Google’s safety standards. The company is also lowering Play Store fees in key markets, with billing fees around 5% for developers that use Google’s system, service fees roughly 20% on new installs, and subscription fees around 10%. The changes will roll out on a staggered schedule, beginning mid-2026.
In a corresponding post, Epic said “Fortnite” would expand worldwide on Google Play. “These changes will evolve Android into a true open platform,” the company wrote. “Fortnite” returned to the Play Store in the US in December after the two companies reached a settlement following years of antitrust battles.
In a blog post Tuesday, Google said it will let developers use their own billing systems alongside Google Play’s, link out to external purchase pages, and distribute apps through third-party app stores that meet Google’s safety standards. The company is also lowering Play Store fees in key markets, with billing fees around 5% for developers that use Google’s system, service fees roughly 20% on new installs, and subscription fees around 10%. The changes will roll out on a staggered schedule, beginning mid-2026.
In a corresponding post, Epic said “Fortnite” would expand worldwide on Google Play. “These changes will evolve Android into a true open platform,” the company wrote. “Fortnite” returned to the Play Store in the US in December after the two companies reached a settlement following years of antitrust battles.
