AndroidGoogle is creating new changes to its developer policies. It promises to make the use of third-party app stores easier on the Android 12 device.
The announcement offers a solution to recent concerns around Android app development. These issues include a fight over alternate in-app payment systems and struggles of businesses moving online because of the pandemic.
Android users can already install apps through the Samsung Galaxy Store for instance. Google said it is adding features to next year’s Android 12 release in response to developer feedback. The purpose of these features is to make it even easier for people to use other app stores on their devices.
At the same time, being careful not to compromise the safety measures Android has in place. The company will release more details on these new changes later on.
This doesn’t mean Google is loosening its grip on in-app payments for Play Store apps. It is a requirement for all developers selling digital goods in their apps to use Google Play’s billing system. Moreover, tweaking the language in its payment policy to make that clear.
Any app that’s not yet using the system for digital goods will have to add it by September 30th, 2021. In August, Fortnite was kicked off the Play Store after Epic Games added support for an alternate billing method. Currently, Fortnite is only available through third-party stores and Epic’s website.
Google specifically refers to Fortnite as an example. Even if a developer and Google don’t agree on business terms, the developer can still distribute on the Android platform.
Android’s Google Play Billing System
Businesses that are letting users sell virtual versions of their normal non-digital offerings during the pandemic are particularly complex. This in-app purchase category includes Airbnb and ClassPass that complained about being asked to pay a new service fee on iOS.
In some circumstances, Apple has started waiving these fees. Google said these businesses won’t have to use Android’s Google Play billing for the near future.
They recognize that the global pandemic has resulted in many businesses having to navigate challenges. Those are the challenges of moving their physical business to digital and engaging audiences customers in a new way. For instance, moving in-person experiences and classes online, Google said.
For the next 12 months, these businesses will not need to comply with their payments policy. Google said they will continue to reassess the situation over the next year.
Meanwhile, Apple is embroiled in a legal battle against Epic. There’s been a coalition formed to force Apple to make its App Store more “fair” for developers.
Google seems to have somehow been mostly left out of the issue. It also seems that the company is not taking any chances.
Now, Google’s new announcement stresses on how important giving users a choice is. That is why they are doing this for Android 12 next year.
For the most part, most Android users can probably find what they need from Google Play. But giving users more options is not necessarily a bad thing.
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