The change follows a U.S. court injunction in the ongoing legal case between Epic Games and Google, upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on September 12, 2025. To comply with the order, Google has updated its Play Store policies effective October 29, 2025.
According to the official announcement, developers will now be able to use alternative payment methods in their Android apps when serving users in the U.S. Google stated:
“Google will not require the use of Google Play Billing in apps distributed on the Google Play Store, or prohibit the use of in-app payment methods other than Google Play Billing. Google will not prohibit a developer from communicating with users about the availability of a payment method other than Google Play Billing. Google will not require a developer to set a price based on whether Google Play Billing is used.”
- This means that developers can now direct users to their own payment systems or third-party processors for in-app transactions, subscriptions, or digital goods.
- They are also free to inform users about alternative payment options or external links outside the Play Store, a practice previously restricted under Google’s “anti-steering” rules.
The new policy applies only to users in the United States while the district court’s order remains in effect. Google added that further updates will be shared “to preserve user trust and safety in the ecosystem, based on feedback from the developer and user community.”
While the update currently affects only the U.S. market, its implications could extend further as regulatory pressures mount globally. Similar developments have already taken place in regions such as the European Union under the Digital Markets Act, which also targets platform billing exclusivity.
