Google and Epic Games have filed a joint plan in San Francisco federal court that should end their antitrust dispute and formally enshrine new rules for Android and Google Play.
Google and Epic Games have filed a joint plan in San Francisco federal court that should end their antitrust dispute and formally enshrine new rules for Android and Google Play.
According to Engadget, the companies are asking for an updated version of the court order that Google received after losing the Epic case. The document details how developers will be able to accept payments through their own payment systems in apps and through external links while adhering to Google’s security requirements. It also specifies the maximum fees for such transactions (9% or 20%) and describes «neutral, reasonable criteria» for access for third-party app stores. Stores that meet these criteria will be able to be installed alongside the Play Store without additional barriers for users.
In a statement, Android president Samir Samat said the proposed changes expand choice and lower fees for developers while keeping users safe. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney called the plan a step toward a more open Android model and making it easier to install competing stores around the world. At the same time, the restrictions on fees for third-party payment systems apply primarily to new app installs, which is important for developers with a large existing base.
Epic v. Google was brought in 2020 over allegations of monopolizing app distribution and billing on Android. The jury sided with Epic in late 2023, and Google lost its appeal in July 2025. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to stay Judge Donato’s order. It prohibits payments to device manufacturers and developers for Play Store exclusivity, prohibits forcing users to use only Google’s payment system, and requires third-party stores to be allowed on Android. If the court approves the proposed plan, the parties will end the years-long litigation, and the changes will become binding on Google and the Android ecosystem.
Previously, dev.ua wrote about how the US Supreme Court did not suspend the permanent injunction in the Epic Games v. Google case. The company was supposed to comply with the court’s demands in October.
