Skip to main content

Google Play Store now offers third-party app payments, but only for some users

Google will now open up its Play Store as a result of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, the company announced today. Now, any developers distributing apps or games in Europe (the European Economic Area, to be precise) will be able to sidestep the Google Play billing system with no penalty. The change comes after a similar push in South Korea.

“As of today, Google will not remove or reject updates of non-gaming apps from participating developers for offering alternative billing systems for EEA users. Google Play’s billing system will continue to be required for apps and games distributed via Play to users outside the EEA and for games distributed to users within the EEA. We expect to expand billing alternatives to developers of gaming apps for their users in the EEA, in advance of the DMA’s effective date,” Google’s Estelle Werth, director of EU Government Affairs and Public Policy, said in a blog post.

The Google Play store icon on an Android phone.

In real terms, buyers will see a 3% decrease in payment prices, assuming all things remain equal. Most developers will pay the Play Store 12%, while others will be charged 27%. Developers who want to use these third-party payment systems in the EEA (cough, Tinder) will keep their place on the Play Store.

The EU’s Digital Markets Act prevents Apple and Google from platform providers mandating app store billing systems with a 10% fine of its total worldwide revenue given as a particularly thick stick. Google may not like it, but it’s certainly not going to go head to head with the EU, and it is absolutely not giving up that market as it did with China.

Apple can also be expected to adopt the same policy. It has already done so in South Korea as a response to the Telecommunication Business Act, though it made sure to note that consumers and developers alike would be losing some protections.

“If you’re considering using this entitlement, it’s important to understand that some App Store features, such as Ask to Buy and Family Sharing, will not be available to your users, in part because we cannot validate payments that take place outside of the App Store’s private and secure payment system. Apple will not be able to assist users with refunds, purchase history, subscription management, and other issues encountered when purchasing digital goods and services through an alternative purchasing method. You will be responsible for addressing such issues,” the company warned.

Editors' Recommendations

Michael Allison
A UK-based tech journalist for Digital Trends, helping keep track and make sense of the fast-paced world of tech with a…
Google Play is helping developers meet gamers where they are
Image of Google Play game running on a Windows PC.

Google Play is setting the stage for a big year of growth in mobile and cross-platform gaming, with several new initiatives to help and encourage developers to build even more exciting and engaging gaming experiences.

The increased power of modern smartphones as gaming powerhouses has allowed for the creation of more sophisticated mobile games, many of which can easily be called “console-quality.” However, this has also given rise to more demand from players to be able to enjoy these gaming experiences on a larger screen.

Read more
Google Play Store removes info on apps’ most recent update
google play gift card on shelf

The Google Play Store has removed the ability for users to see when apps have been last updated. The feature is standard across most mobile app stores as it serves as a useful tool for mobile owners to stay informed about their software, but now Android users are being kept in the dark. Although other information such as file size and version number is still publicly available in the Google Play Store, the removal of the "last updated" feature in the UI has puzzled many users.

This change seems to have been a long time coming as Google tested the waters in November by removing the feature for select users, however, it was met with backlash from fans. Following the tests, the feature was brought back, and it seemed as if the Play Store was going back to normal for good, but as of now, the "last updated" section is gone for all Android users.

Read more
Gmail app hits 10 billion Play Store downloads, holds 53% of U.S. email market
Gmail app cover image.

Google launched Gmail on April 1, 2004, and in 2022, the service hit a new milestone, with 10 billion downloads on the Google Play Store -- a figure that represents 53% of the U.S. email market. This makes Gmail the fourth app on the Play Store to achieve this landmark; the first three were Google Play Services (a requirement for nearly all Android phones that use Google services), YouTube, and Google Maps.

As of January 11, the Google Play Store shows that Google Chrome and Google Search have also crossed the 10 billion downloads mark. Meanwhile, Google Photos is trailing a little behind, at over 5 billion downloads.

Read more