New options for Android developers to offer external purchases in their games: What you need to know

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New options for Android developers to offer external purchases in their games: What you need to know

October 7, 2025•5 min

The Android ecosystem has entered a new era. As of October 22, 2025, following the Epic Games v. Google ruling, Android mobile developers in the US now have the freedom to integrate external purchase options directly into their games. With both iOS and Android markets open, developers can fully embrace payment flexibility by enabling alternative payment options.

What happened and why it matters

For years, developers have been locked into Google Play and the App Store’s billing systems and their up to 30% platform fee. The court has issued an injunction that fundamentally reshapes the Google Play ecosystem, meaning for the first time, developers will no longer be locked into Google Play’s billing system and exclusivity rules. The injunction marks a tangible shift in how Android developers can monetize their games. From October 22, they will legally be allowed to include external purchase links directly inside their apps, giving players the option to complete transactions outside Google Play’s billing system. This means developers will be able to guide players to their browser-based checkout pages, such as Xsolla Web Shop and Pay Station. Here’s what you need to know from October 22:

Injunction provision	What it means for developers	Direct impact on revenue
Alternative in-app billing	You are no longer forced to use Google Play Billing. Integrate third-party payment providers such as Xsolla Web Shop.	Save up to 95% of gross revenue per transaction (up to 30% Google fee vs. Xsolla’s 5% fee).
Anti-steering ban lifted	Place a buy button, links, or messages inside your game.	Drive players to your best-value web shop offers, boosting margins and loyalty.
Third-party store distribution from July 2026	Launch and distribute your own branded app store.	Control your ecosystem and set your own platform fees.

How can you make the ruling benefit you?

Xsolla Web Shop and Buy Button for mobile games were designed to give developers the ability to lower fees, own player purchase experience, increase LTV, and build stronger relationships with players. With the new Android rules coming into effect, these solutions are now more powerful than ever, empowering you to:

Embed a Buy Button directly into your game. Place a native button inside your Android game that seamlessly directs players to a secure, browser-based checkout. The transaction is powered by Xsolla Web Shop and Xsolla Pay Station, building a seamless, one-tap purchase flow that keeps conversions high.

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Link out to your Web Shop from inside the game. Grow player LTV by increasing Web Shop adoption through web-exclusive mechanics like rewards, loyalty stores, and exclusives. Drive traffic to your branded storefront to deliver unique bundles, bonus currency, and seasonal deals that keep players engaged and spending.

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Make your web shop more valuable to players. Use loyalty points, bonuses, or exclusive discounts to promote direct purchases in your game and encourage players to return and spend more, all while retaining up to 95% of revenue from every purchase.

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Check out our step-by-step guide on how to get started. These steps enable you to maximize the new Android rules, reclaim revenue that once went to platform fees, and create a stronger, more rewarding connection with your players.

Proven results from iOS show just how impactful these tools can be: developers who implemented the Buy Button saw up to 120% growth in Web Shop revenue, while simply adding link-outs from the game drove an additional 65% revenue increase. With Xsolla Web Shop, you can launch a flexible, revenue-boosting store without integration costs, and by integrating the Buy Button for Mobile Games, you can now extend these direct sales opportunities to Android players to give you more control, higher margins, and stronger engagement.

How Xsolla Web Shop can help

October 22 will mark a turning point for Android developers. For the first time, you will be able to choose how you handle payments, how you engage your players, and how much of your hard-earned revenue you keep or reinvest. From October 22, you can start:

Enable purchases in the USwith an in-game link directly to Xsolla checkout.
Keep up to 95% of every transaction by moving away from Google Play Billing.
Add more value for players with discounts, bundles, bonuses, and loyalty rewards.

The rules of the Android marketplace have changed, and the developers who move quickly will be the ones who benefit most. With tools like the Xsolla Web Shop and Buy Button for mobile games, you can get ahead of the game by embedding seamless purchase options in your game, driving players to your web shop, and offering them greater value with every transaction. Learn how you can launch a fully functional store in minutes with Xsolla Web Shop or Buy Button by meeting with our team of experts or visiting: https://webshop.xsolla.com/home.