In a major development for mobile app developers and the Android ecosystem, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has hailed Google’s proposed antitrust settlement as a “comprehensive solution” that strengthens Android’s vision as an open platform.
The settlement, which was reached between Google and Epic Games on Tuesday, includes wide-ranging app store reforms designed to promote competition and reduce developer costs. If approved by the court, the agreement will mark the end of a long-running legal battle between the two tech giants over app store dominance.
Google Agrees to App Store Reforms
Under the new proposal, Google will allow Android developers to guide users to alternative payment options, both inside their apps and through external links. The company also agreed to cap transaction fees at 9% or 20%, depending on the type of purchase.
Sameer Samat, president of the Android Ecosystem at Google, said in a post on X that the changes focus on “expanding developer choice and flexibility, lowering fees, and encouraging more competition while keeping users safe.” These reforms are designed to give developers greater control over monetization without compromising Android’s security framework.
Tim Sweeney: “A Win for Openness”
Epic Games’ Sweeney, who has been one of the loudest critics of app store monopolies, praised the settlement, calling it “awesome” and a genuine reinforcement of Android’s open principles.
He contrasted Google’s new approach with Apple’s walled-garden model, accusing the iPhone maker of “blocking all competing stores and leaving payments as the only vector for competition.” Sweeney has long argued that developers deserve more freedom in how they distribute and monetize their apps, a position that lies at the heart of Epic’s legal fights against both tech giants.
Apple’s Model Under Scrutiny
While Apple maintains that its policies are meant to protect user privacy and security, critics point to its growing Services revenue, which reached $28.75 billion last quarter, up 15% year-over-year, as evidence that the company benefits heavily from its strict App Store rules.
Epic had sued both Apple and Google, alleging their app store practices were anti-competitive and exploitative. Although Apple largely won its case, it was forced to modify certain App Store rules to allow alternative payment links. Google, on the other hand, lost its appeal in July when a jury found that it had stifled competition and needed to introduce reforms.
A New Era for Android Developers
Following the settlement, Sweeney confirmed that the Epic Games Store will soon launch on Android via the Google Play Store, signaling a major step toward broader app distribution freedom.
If approved, Google’s settlement could reshape how developers operate on Android, fostering a more open, competitive, and flexible mobile ecosystem that empowers creators while reducing costs for millions of users.
