Google has made a move in the United States and updated the Play Store policy so that Android developers can offer alternative payment methods in the USA and include direct links to payments outside the app. This change comes after legal pressure stemming from the Epic Games antitrust case and is reflected in the company's support documentation.
For users and businesses, the change could alter how subscriptions and in-app purchases are managed, an area previously dominated by Google Play Billing and its corresponding commission. The measure is limited to the US market Google notes that it will be in effect until November 1, 2027, when the District Court order expires, so adjustments may be made after that.
What's changing on Google Play in the US?
From now on, apps distributed on Google Play within the United States may use your own system The billing system will replace Google's, and links to external payment pages will be included without the previous anti-steering restrictions. According to Google's public documentation, the change is effective immediately in that region.
This means that the shopping experience can leave the Google environment whenever the developer decides, which opens the door to promotions, differentiated prices or bundles offered outside the store. As always, each developer will have to comply with the rules of transparency, security, and user protection.
- Own billing instead of Google Play Billing, if the developer prefers.
- Internal links to external payment pages directly from the app.
- Communication of offers and alternative prices outside of Play (for example: "Save 20% by paying on our website").
- Immediate application in the USA and temporary nature until November 1, 2027.
Impact on users and developers
For citizens, the most visible consequence will be finding More payment methods and possible discounts Outside of Google Play, certain apps may be available. In some cases, you may also be redirected to the service's website to complete the purchase, so it's advisable to review the provider's terms, refund policies, and security measures.
On the developers' side, this flexibility allows them to adjust their business and cost strategy: they will be able to directly promote your offersThey will experiment with third-party gateways and adapt the sign-up or subscription flow to their own conversion funnel. However, they will also assume more responsibility for customer service and fraud prevention outside the Google ecosystem.
- Users: more payment methods, external promotions and varied shopping experiences.
- Developers: greater control over billing, in-app marketing without anti-steering, and choice of payment gateways.
- SecurityWhen paying outside of Play, check the provider's certificates, domain, and policies.
Timeframes, scope and situation in Spain/Europe
The update is US exclusive by court order and remains in effect until November 1, 2027. After that date, Google could modify the rules according to court rulings and the regulatory framework. Until then, apps distributed on Play within the United States They can choose to implement these changes.
In the European context, the framework of Digital Markets Regulation (DMA) This has already prompted the introduction of alternative billing options under specific conditions. For Android users in Spain or the EEA, the situation may differ from the US and depend on how platforms implement the regulatory obligations in each region.
With this move, Google opens a new chapter greater flexibility This applies to billing for Android apps in the US, with the potential for improved pricing and increased competition in subscriptions and in-app purchases. In Europe, development will depend on the regulatory framework and how each app store's policies evolve in the coming months.
