Google has announced some new upcoming changes shipping in the next major version of its mobile operating system, Android 12. According to the company, Android 12 will “make it even easier for people to use other app stores on their devices while being careful not to compromise the safety measures Android has in place.”
Android 11 has not been harsh on third-party app stores, but it added an extra mile on the whole process of installing “unknown” apps. Although that change is minor and you likely won’t notice it right away.
And following the Epic tiff, the American tech giant also announced plans to ensure that all Play Store apps will use its in-app payments system. Like Apple, Google also takes a percentage cut on the sale of digital goods from Android apps.
A grace period has already been given. Starting September 30th, 2021, “all developers selling digital goods in their apps are required to use Google Play’s billing system,” the company says.
The announcement is targeted at renegades like Epic Games. In August, Google kicked Epic Games’ popular battle royale game, Fortnite, off the Play Store immediately after adding an alternative billing system.
Despite the spat between the two, Android users who want to play Fortnite can download it via third-party stores or Epic’s website. Google says it a clear indication that “even if a developer and Google do not agree on business terms the developer can still distribute on the Android platform.”