Android developers fees, starting September

Magma

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Goodmorning !!!

I think that Google Announcement already had some threads... by the way the sideloading will be there but with some clicks more...

As for free development (what fees) ? Can't understand what do you mean ?

For sure - Play Store has limits, had limits... and will have more, for example apps created for first time, must be tested - but until now - i think is not a big problem... may be come to production will be slower - but it has to do - with your "target group" - if your app is for some hundreds of customers - then i think it is easy with the tools of Play Store to work.. if you wanna share to millions then you must get the hard way... with pre-releases...
 

aeric

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Magma said:
As for free development (what fees) ? Can't understand what do you mean ?
Click to expand...
I also not clear with this requirements.

My understanding is for us to publish to Play store, we are required to register for a developer account by paying US$25 for lifetime.
Meanwhile, to enable us to become developer in Apple developer account, even we don't want to publish an app on Appstore, we still need to pay US$99 annually for the registration and to generate the certificate and provisional profile.

So I guess the new rules would be similar to Apple, Google may charge Android developers at certain amount, which may be need to renew annually.
The new fee is different from the fee for Play store developer console.
edit: You may need to pay additional fees if you are publishing your apps on other Android store such as F-Droid.

For now, indie developers or students can develop any apps and share among their friends without registering for a developer account.
Anyone can start developing anytime and build an APK for Free!
This is going to be changed starting September 2026!
 

Magma

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But I ve already payed 25$ for a life before 14 years (ps: lifetime warranty for memory - is when memory stop getting out from factory ~10years)...
+ i didn't see any fee per year for Play Store... yet - do you see any - or anything written ?

This for indie devs... didn't see it..
 

aeric

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Not much affecting the current developers who only publish on Play store.
I think in short, Google wants to take control of the apps developer published on other stores which they don't make money of.
 

William Lancee

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I am an indie (independent) developer who creates software autonomously. In the past it was to create tools for scientific research.
Now it is mostly for personal growth and favors for friends. I don't publish apps.

My devices are tools for testing ideas and theories - and remote controls for my custom robots. This change in Google policy will change the way I work.
The first thing I did when I found out about this policy change was to freeze my devices from automatic updates.
I hope that works, or I will have to find alternatives - is someone making freedom fighting devices that I can program?
 

aeric

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Ya, I think it won't affect older android devices. The control can only apply to future versions of Android and certified brands.
 

William Lancee

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Most of my Samsung devices are new in the past year, so forced updates will affect them. I can't disconnect Wi-Fi since I need network access.
I may need to root the phones that are tied to the Telephone company. There is some ADT hack I have to investigate.
These are "interesting" times.
 

Cableguy

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aeric said:
My understanding is for us to publish to Play store, we are required to register for a developer account by paying US$25 for lifetime.
Click to expand...
it was like that 15 years ago, and has been ever since
 

SJQ

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aeric said:
Ya, I think it won't affect older android devices. The control can only apply to future versions of Android and certified brands.
Click to expand...
It's my understanding that this will affect any device that can receive an update to google play services and the play store regardless of Android version.
 

SJQ

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For some time now a number of manufacturers who create create Android based 4" to 23" touch displays & PDAs (for POS, controller systems, home automation, Kiosk ect.) have started supplying their equipment with Linux
 

peacemaker

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SJQ said:
For some time now a number of manufacturers who create create Android based 4" to 23" touch displays & PDAs (for POS, controller systems, home automation, Kiosk ect.) have started supplying their equipment with Linux
Click to expand...
Any direct examples ?
 

SJQ

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peacemaker said:
Any direct examples ?
Click to expand...
Sure...

Sunworld/Portword do a range of 4" upward Android/Linux devices for fixed installation:
https://portworld-solu.com/portfolio-item/sm41p-smart-home-panel/

Highton do a range of Tablets and PDA Windows/Android/Linux
http://www.ruggedtabletspcfactory.com/

SIBO only show Android on their site but if you ask they can do Linux
https://sibodigital.com/collections/tablets

iHopeStar again only show Android but will do Windows/Linux too.
https://ihopestar.com/portfolio-item/10-inch-poe-led-light-bar-wa1022t/

We use quite a few of the 4" & 23" units from Sunworld and the 10" POE with LED from iHopeStar.

We also use the BananPi M4 Zero as it has can do Android12, Ubuntu and Debian. with 2GB or 4GB RAM, its the same footprint as the RaspberryPi Zero but with more RAM
https://www.banana-pi.org/en/banana-pi-sbcs/171.html
 

Magma

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ok linux.. b4a projects apk will run?
or create with b4j ... what to do ?
 

William Lancee

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I have gotten into the habit of coding in B4J B4XPages on my large Windows desktop - then tweaking for Android devices.
So it won't be a problem to switch from Android to Windows/Linux tablets that will handle the Java based B4J .jar files.

I have been reviewing why I need Android devices at all.
1. When the device has to be smaller than any Windows/Linux based device. <== this is becoming less of a problem as technology progresses
2. When I need a touchscreen device. <== not a problem anymore, there are lots of windows/Linux tablets to chose from
3. When I need a camera(s)/microphones <== since Covid zoom meetings no problem anymore

But also...
4. When I need sensors only available on Android/iOS devices
5. When I need built-in GPS
6. When need phone network access
7. When the end users need to use their own devices.

Except for #4 to #7, I can manage without Android.

By the the way, my issue is not with paying a small amount of money to join the Google developers group.
I just believe in the principle that if I own a paid-for device, Google should not be able to disable it remotely.
Opting out should be the default for existing devices.

When I buy a new device, I will consider if the Google control policy outweighs my need for that device.
Just as I have done with Apple's policies.

It is regrettable that the predatory actions of some hackers make these controls necessary.
It is also true that greedy corporations can use this as an excuse to dominate the marketplace.

I know... resistance is futile.
 

Beja

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I just asked Google and this is their answer:



I am an Android app developper.. I have some apps on the play store.. I heared that Google is planning to charge developpers beyond the $25 paid once. is that true?







Gemini said​

As of April 2026, the short answer is no, Google has not replaced the $25 one-time registration fee with a mandatory recurring fee for basic access to the Play Store. However, there are significant updates to how Google structures its fees and developer programs that might be causing the confusion you've heard about.


Here is the current breakdown of the costs and fee changes:

1. The $25 Registration Fee​

The $25 one-time fee still exists and remains the standard for creating a "Full Distribution" developer account. Once paid, your developer identity is permanently linked to your account.
+1

  • New "Limited" Option: Recently, Google introduced a free tier for students and hobbyists called the "Android Limited Distribution" account. This skips the $25 fee and government ID verification but limits your app sharing to 20 authorized devices.

2. New "Premium" Developer Memberships​

This is likely where the rumors of "charging beyond $25" started. Google now offers optional paid tiers for the Google Developer Program:
  • Standard: $0 (included with your $25 registration).
  • Premium: $299 USD per year. This is aimed at more established developers and includes perks like Gemini Code Assist Enterprise, $150 in monthly Google Cloud credits, and enhanced technical support.
    +1

  • Enterprise: $75 USD per developer per month for organizations needing centralized management and team-wide learning resources.

3. Major Service Fee Reductions (2026 Update)​

Following legal challenges, Google has overhauled its transaction fees. While these aren't "subscription fees" for you to be a developer, they affect your revenue:


  • Lower Commissions: The old 30% fee is effectively dead. For most developers, the rate is now 15% for the first $1M in annual earnings.
    +1

  • New/Existing Install Logic: Starting June 30, 2026 (in the US, UK, and EEA), Google is moving to a system where "new installs" (first-time downloads) have a lower service fee (often 20% or as low as 15% if you join specific quality programs) compared to older "existing" installs.


  • Alternative Billing: You can now use your own billing systems or guide users to your website for purchases. If you do this, Google reduces its service fee by 3% to 5%, though they still collect a "service fee" for providing the platform.

Summary Table​


Fee TypeCostRequirement
Registration$25 (One-time)Mandatory for public Play Store distribution.
Premium Membership$299/yearOptional; for extra tools and cloud credits.
Transaction Fee10% – 15%Percentage of sales (for the first $1M/year).
 
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