Epic Games and Google have jointly asked a California judge to approve a major settlement that would reshape how Android’s app store operates, ending years of courtroom battles between the two companies (via Reuters).
In a filing dated November 4, 2025, Epic and Google said the deal “would allow the parties to put their disputes aside while making Android a more vibrant and competitive platform.” The proposal asks the court to replace parts of the existing injunction from the 2024 antitrust ruling, which found that Google’s Play Store practices had stifled competition.
Under the proposed changes, Google would modify Android to let users “seamlessly download and install certain third-party stores” that meet security standards, creating “Registered App Stores” that compete directly with Google Play. Developers would also gain more freedom to use alternative in-app or web-based payment systems. Google would still collect service fees, but they would be capped at 9 or 20 percent depending on the type of transaction, with the new rules in effect through 2032.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney praised the deal on X, writing, “Google has made an awesome proposal, subject to court approval, to open up Android in the US Epic v Google case and settle our disputes. It genuinely doubles down on Android’s original vision as an open platform to streamline competing store installs globally, reduce service fees for developers on Google Play, and enable third-party in-app and web payments.”
He added a shot at Apple in the process saying, “This is a comprehensive solution, which stands in contrast to Apple’s model of blocking all competing stores and leaving payments as the only vector for competition. The public filings are live.”
“Exciting news! Together with Epic Games we have filed a proposed set of changes to Android and Google Play that focus on expanding developer choice and flexibility, lowering fees, and encouraging more competition all while keeping users safe. If approved, this would resolve our litigations. We look forward to discussing further with the Judge on Thursday,” said Google’s President of Android, Sameer Samat, in a statement on X.
Both companies said the new plan “will benefit the Android ecosystem as a whole” and represents a “suitably tailored” solution to their years of disputes. A hearing on the proposal is scheduled for December 11, 2025.
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