criticalAndroid Developers Blog·March 4, 2026

A new era for choice and openness

Posted by Sameer Samat, President of Android Ecosystem




Android has always driven innovation in the industry through its unique flexibility and openness. At this important moment, we want to continue leading the way in how developers distribute their apps and games to people on billions of devices across many form factors. A modern platform must be flexible, providing developers and users with choice and openness as well as a safe experience.

Today we are announcing substantial updates that evolve our business model and build on our long history of openness globally.  We’re doing that in three ways: more billing options, a program for registered app stores, and lower fees and new programs for developers.

Expanded billing choice on Google Play for users and developers

Google Play is giving developers even more billing choice and freedom in how they handle transactions. Mobile developers will have the option to use their own billing systems in their app alongside Google Play’s billing, or they can guide users outside of their app to their own websites for purchases. Our goal is to offer this flexibility in a way that maximizes choice and safety for users. 

Leading the way in store choice 

Key Insights

1

Google is making 'substantial updates' to Android app distribution with focus on developer choice and openness

2

Changes are positioned as continuing Android's tradition of flexibility versus closed ecosystems

3

Updates likely relate to regulatory pressure and alternative app store requirements

A new era for choice and openness | ASO News