Google says Android 12 will make it easier to install apps from third-party stores

android12

Google says when they release Android 12 sometime next year, it will make it easier for Android users to install new software through third-party app stores on their devices. Google did it because of the response and feedback they received from developers, and promised to release more enhancement and details in the future.

As part of the same Google also clarified its stance on in-app purchases. The company says it will require all developers who offer digital goods through their apps to process payments through the Play Store’s billing system. Developers have until September 30th, 2021 to make their apps compliant with the company’s updated payment policy.   

Google makes a point of noting that the policy will only affect at most three percent of developers with apps on the Play Store. And of that three percent, it says nearly 97 percent already use Google Play’s billing system to let people pay for their in-app purchases. But making up that less than one percent of Play Store developers are companies like Netflix and Spotify. They currently bypass that requirement by prompting their customers to pay for subscriptions directly. The policy change will effectively force those companies to pay Google’s 30 percent fee on in-app purchases. 

Source: Engadget