Google and Fortnite make peace after legal fight that went on for more than five years: What it means for Android users

For nearly two decades, the mobile app economy has largely been operated by two giants: Apple and Google . These built safe walled gardens, and for that experience, they exact up to 30% fee on every transaction that occurs within their domains. In their app stores – Apple Store and Google Play – they dictate the rules, control the gates and act as judge, jury and executioner for the millions of apps that seek access to billions of smartphone users. As of December 2025, one of those walls has come crashing down because not everyone aligns with this ‘tax’. In what can be called a watershed moment for the smartphone industry, Google and Epic Games have reached a definitive settlement in their 5-year-long antitrust dispute. The agreement marks the end of Google’s absolute control over t