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Microsoft backs court injunction against Google
AppWizard
January 26, 2026

Microsoft backs court injunction against Google

Microsoft has filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging a federal court to maintain an injunction against Google, which requires the company to dismantle its alleged monopoly in the Android apps market, particularly regarding payment practices. This injunction stems from Epic Games' lawsuit against Google, initiated in 2020. On January 16, Microsoft submitted its brief ahead of a court hearing where Google and Epic are seeking modifications to a permanent injunction issued in October 2024. The proposed changes could allow Google to impose fees between 9% and 20% on app developers, which Microsoft argues would undermine the original intent of the injunction. A recent settlement between Google and Epic includes a partnership valued at 0 million over six years, but details remain confidential. Judge Donato is reviewing the settlement and has requested briefings from the FTC and appointed an expert witness for evaluation. Epic Games has also announced that its games app is now available on Google Play worldwide.
Epic And Google Quietly Signed $800 Million Deal To Help Market Android
BetaBeacon
January 26, 2026

Epic And Google Quietly Signed $800 Million Deal To Help Market Android

- Epic and Google have entered into a new business arrangement involving joint product development, joint marketing commitments, and shared partnerships. - The agreement would see Epic helping Google market Android, while Google gains broader access to Epic’s core technology, including Unreal Engine. - The partnership involves a 0 million commitment spread across six years. - The sudden revelation of the partnership has raised questions about whether it helped smooth negotiations behind the scenes between Epic and Google.
Epic Games $800 Million Deal with Google
BetaBeacon
January 26, 2026

Epic Games $800 Million Deal with Google

- Epic Games and Google have entered into a six-year, 0 million partnership involving joint product development, marketing, and technical collaboration. - The partnership includes closer integration of Unreal Engine, which powers Fortnite and many third-party games. - The judge raised concerns about how the partnership might affect Epic's legal demands in the antitrust lawsuit against Google. - Google has proposed changes to Android monetization, including new fee structures for in-app billing and web payments. - The outcome of the case could shape how monetization works across mobile platforms for years to come.
silver Android smartphone
BetaBeacon
November 6, 2025

Breaking: Google and Epic propose settlement to end years-long legal battle in the US

Google and Epic Games have proposed a settlement to resolve their legal battle over the Play Store. The proposed changes aim to address concerns regarding monopolization of user choice and in-app purchases. The settlement includes allowing developers more flexibility to distribute apps and process payments outside of Google Play, as well as lowering service fees on Google Play. If approved, this could lead to more competition, lower fees, and increased developer choice and flexibility on Android devices.
Google and Epic’s new settlement could change the Play Store globally
BetaBeacon
November 6, 2025

Google and Epic’s new settlement could change the Play Store globally

- Google and Epic Games are proposing a new settlement to address antitrust concerns related to the Play Store. - The settlement would have a global scope and last for six and a half years. - The agreement includes new developer fee caps for those bypassing Google Play Billing. - The settlement aims to streamline the process for installing third-party app stores on Android devices. - The proposal will be presented to Judge Donato for approval, potentially resolving a significant legal challenge for Google's Android business.
Google eases U.S. Android app billing and distribution rules
AppWizard
October 30, 2025

Google eases U.S. Android app billing and distribution rules

Google is implementing changes to Android app distribution and billing in the U.S. following a federal court injunction related to the Epic Games antitrust case. This allows Android users to see links within apps directing them to external websites, alternative app stores, or merchant purchase pages, enabling various payment methods beyond Google Play Billing, such as credit cards, PayPal, and direct merchant checkouts. Developers can now promote their own stores and route transactions through any payment processor, potentially offering lower prices or promotional offers. This policy shift applies only to U.S. app users, with existing policies remaining in place for other regions. Historically, Play Store fees were as high as 30%, but the new ability to transact outside the Play Store may lead to cost savings for consumers and increased investment in user acquisition and content development by companies. Developers are expected to experiment with pricing strategies, including web-only introductory rates and loyalty discounts. Google must now compete for developer loyalty based on service quality rather than just platform policies. User trust and safety remain priorities for Google, which will continue to enforce measures to deter scams and harmful applications. Developers will need to implement secure transaction flows and recognizable domains to maintain user confidence. Key questions for the future of the U.S. Android app ecosystem include whether consumer prices will decrease, if major brands will adopt external checkout strategies, and how Google will enhance discovery and compliance tools for developers.
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