Google Play now allows Android apps to use other billing systems in the US

Ben Schoon | Oct 30 2025 - 7:30 am PT

Following a court ruling, Google has been forced to open up the Play Store in the US to allow Android apps to use other billing systems or direct users to alternate pricing options.

Effective immediately, Android apps distributed through the Play Store are no longer required to use Google Play Billing services, as has been the case for years. This change is effective in the US as of October 29, as Google communicated to developers in an email which NewGeekGuide has seen.

On a further support page, Google directly explains the two key changes being made.

Firstly, Google will no longer prohibit Android app developers in the US from “communicating” with users about pricing and availability alternatives for an app outside of the Play Store. This includes providing a link to download the app outside of the Play Store as well as providing a link to make transactions outside of the Play Store.

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Further, developers are no longer required to use Google Play Billing services for in-app transactions. Developers can implement their own payment systems, or continue to use Google Play Billing. The door is also open to developers to still use Google Play Billing, but offer a lower price in the app when users opt for a different payment method.

Google explains:

Google will not prohibit a developer from communicating with users about the availability or pricing of an app outside the Google Play Store, and will not prohibit a developer from providing a link to download the app outside the Google Play Store or link to transactions.

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.

It’s further noted that more changes will be shared in “the near future.”

These changes come as the result of a long-fought legal battle between Google and Epic Games, in which the US courts ruled in favor of Epic. Outside of these forward-facing Play Store changes, Google’s loss has also resulted in the company being barred from certain OEM and app exclusivity deals, among other things.