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Google will implement reduced developer fees and external payment options in three regions this month. The changes fulfill terms of a settlement reached with Epic Games. Additional countries will adopt the new structure through 2027.
Ars TechnicaGoogle will begin applying a revised fee structure for Play Store transactions on June 30 in the U.S., Europe, and the UK. The update splits commissions into separate billing and service fees and allows developers to direct users to external payment methods.
Under the new schedule, developers earning less than $1 million annually will pay a flat 10 percent service fee. Transactions routed outside the Play Store will carry only the service fee, while those processed through the store will add a 5 percent billing fee.
New app installs after June 30 will face a maximum 20 percent combined rate.
Japan and South Korea will follow on December 31. All remaining markets are scheduled to transition on September 30, 2027. Google will also expand two optional programs that can reduce fees further. The existing Games Level Up program and a new Apps Experience program will become available in the initial three regions on September 30 before expanding with the billing changes.
The settlement requires Google to certify third-party app stores in a later phase. That step is not addressed in the current announcement.
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