- Google has announced the specific schedule for the service fee reductions and the upcoming launch of the “Apps Experience” program for Google Play developers, which were initially introduced in March 2026.
- The Google Play service fee reduction will be implemented starting Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in the United States, the European Economic Area (EEA), and the United Kingdom.
- In Japan, the rollout is scheduled to begin on Thursday, December 31, 2026.
On Wednesday, June 24, 2026 (local time), Google announced the specific rollout schedule for the service fee reductions and the “Apps Experience” program, which were originally revealed for Google Play developers in March 2026.
jetstream.blogExpansion of Billing Options
The newly introduced expansion of billing options will allow app developers to integrate their own proprietary payment systems into their apps, providing users with alternatives to the standard payment system offered by Google Play.
This expansion will first be made available to developers offering services to users in the UK and the European Economic Area (EEA). Regardless of the developer’s physical location, those serving users in these regions can utilize this option, with plans to expand to further markets in the future.
Fee Structure Overhaul and Reductions
The reduction in Google Play service fees will officially begin on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, covering the United States, the European Economic Area (EEA), and the United Kingdom.
Regardless of the payment method used, the service fee for the first $1 million (approx. 150 million yen) of annual revenue will be reduced to a flat 10%, a rate that also applies to auto-renewing subscriptions. Additionally, a 5% billing fee is added to the service fee if the Google Play payment system is used. Conversely, no billing fees are incurred when using proprietary payment methods or external links.
In Japan, these changes are scheduled to take effect on Thursday, December 31, 2026.
New Special Programs for High-Quality Games and Apps
Detailed guidelines have also been released for the “Games Level Up” program, a special initiative for game apps, and the “Apps Experience” program for general applications.
Game apps that meet specific criteria will be eligible for even more favorable fee rates. These special rates are scheduled to become available on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in Australia, the European Economic Area (EEA), the UK, and the US.
These programs are scheduled to launch in Japan on Thursday, December 31, 2026.
Source: Google (https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/06/play-expanded-billing.html)