$700M Google Play Store Consumer Antitrust Settlement
By Steve Levine
Published: December 3, 2025
Settlement Amount: $700M Total
Claim Form Deadline: Feb 19, 2026
Proof required: Not required for most consumers
What is the Google Play Store Antitrust Settlement About?
You may be part of a new $700 million consumer antitrust settlement reached with Google over allegations that it used its control over the Google Play Store to suppress competition and raise prices on Android apps and in app purchases to consumers.A coalition of 53 attorneys general alleged that Google restricted rival app stores, pressured developers to use Google Play billing, and charged high fees that were passed on to consumers. Nearly every state and territory joined the Google lawsuit. Google denies wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the costs and risks of continued litigation.
Google has been the target of other class action and lawsuit cases including the multibillion-dollar Search Monopoly lawsuit the U.S. Department of Justice won at trial and the AdTech Monopoly case where Google was found to have illegally dominated the display-ads market. There is also the $30 million YouTube childrens' privacy settlement that is open to claims.
What is the Total Settlement Amount?
The settlement totals $700 million. Of that amount, $630 million is allocated for consumer restitution and $70 million is allocated to states for penalties, fees, and other costs, subject to Court approval.How Do I Qualify For a Payout?
You may qualify if you made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023 and were harmed by the alleged anticompetitive conduct. Eligible transactions generally include paid apps, in app purchases, and app or game subscriptions that were processed through Google Play billing.How Much Can I Get Paid?
Each included consumer will receive at least $2. Additional money will be distributed pro rata based on how much each person spent on qualifying Google Play purchases during the settlement period compared to all other eligible consumers, after Court approved fees, costs, and state payments are deducted. People who spent more on apps, games, in app purchases, and subscriptions are expected to receive larger payments.How Do I File a Claim?
In most cases you do not need to file a claim. If you are included, the settlement administrator will use data from Google to calculate your payment and attempt to pay you automatically using PayPal or Venmo after the Court grants final approval.A supplemental claims process will be available later for people who do not receive automatic payments or cannot use PayPal or Venmo. If you want to be notified when that supplemental claims process opens, you can submit your name, email, and mobile phone number on the official settlement website at openclassactions.com.
Who Will Need to File a Claim?
Most eligible consumers will not need to file a claim because payments will be sent automatically through PayPal or Venmo to the email address or mobile phone number associated with their Google Play account.A separate, supplemental claims process will be available later for people who do not receive an automatic payment. You may need to file a claim if:
• You do not have a PayPal or Venmo account and do not want to create one;
• You no longer have access to the email address or mobile number tied to your Google Play account;
• You were expecting a payment from the settlement but never receive one.
Instructions and deadlines for this supplemental claims process will be posted on the official settlement website once they are available.
What is the Claim Form Deadline?
There is no standard claim form deadline for most consumers because payments will be made automatically wherever possible. A separate deadline will be set for the supplemental claims process for people who did not receive automatic payments or need to update their information. That date will be posted on the official settlement website once available.Key Deadlines
• Exclusion (opt out) deadline: February 19, 2026
• Objection deadline: February 19, 2026
• Final approval hearing: April 30, 2026
When Will Settlement Payments Be Sent?
Settlement payments will be sent after the Court holds the final approval hearing and enters a final judgment, and after any appeals are resolved. Once the settlement is approved, consumers should receive an email from PayPal or a text from Venmo to the email address or mobile number associated with their Google Play account. Many large consumer settlements begin sending payments several months after final approval, but exact timing can vary based on claims administration and any appeals.Is Proof Required to Receive a Payment?
Most people will not need to upload proof. For consumers who still have an active Google Play account and matching contact information, eligibility and payment amounts will be based on Google Play transaction data that is already in the settlement records.If you later participate in the supplemental claims process because you did not get an automatic payment, you may be asked to verify your identity and provide updated contact information so that your historical purchases can be located.
Background on the Google Antitrust Lawsuits
In December 2020 and July 2021, New York Attorney General Letitia James and coalitions of state attorneys general filed antitrust lawsuits accusing Google of illegally maintaining monopoly power in online search and in the Android app and in app payment markets. The states said Google used exclusionary contracts, technical restrictions, and high fees to shut out rival app stores, force developers to use Google Play Billing, and charge consumers up to 30 percent on many app and in app purchases.In December 2023, a bipartisan group of 53 attorneys general announced a $700 million resolution of the Google Play Store case. Under that agreement, Google will pay $630 million into a consumer restitution fund and $70 million to the states, and must make changes that open Android devices to more competition from alternative app stores and billing systems.
On December 3, 2025, Attorney General James issued a consumer alert with new information about how eligible users will receive payments from the settlement and key dates for exclusion, objections, and court approval. According to that alert, most eligible consumers will receive automatic payments through PayPal or Venmo if the Court grants final approval.
Google Play Class Action Lawsuit - Allegations
The class action lawsuit brought fourth by multiple attorney generals allege that Google used anticompetitive contracts and technical restrictions to keep rival app stores off Android devices and to steer developers into using Google Play billing with high fees. Google denies all liability. The parties reached a settlement that provides cash restitution to consumers and requires Google to change certain Google Play Store practices going forward.How Do I Find Class Action Settlements?
Find all the latest class actions you can qualify for by getting notified of new lawsuits as soon as they are open to claims:What Are My Options?
• Receive payment automatically if you are included and do nothing. Most eligible consumers will get automatic payments after final approval.• Exclude yourself by February 19, 2026, if you want to keep the right to bring your own lawsuit against Google. If you opt out, you will not receive a payment from this settlement.
• Object by February 19, 2026, if you stay in the settlement and want to tell the Court why you support or oppose the terms.
• Do nothing and remain in the settlement. If you are included and your payment can be delivered, you will receive restitution automatically and give up separate claims related to the conduct covered by the case.
How to Opt Out
To ask for exclusion, follow the instructions on the official settlement website. You can submit an online exclusion request form or mail a written request. Your request must be submitted or postmarked by February 19, 2026, and should include your name, contact information, and a clear statement that you want to be excluded from the Google Play settlement.What Changes Is Google Required to Make?
As part of the settlement, Google must make several business practice changes designed to increase competition, expand billing options, and allow more flexibility for developers.• Google must allow developers to tell users about discounts, lower prices, and alternative billing options outside the Play Store.
• Developers may offer non Google billing systems for in app purchases and subscriptions within the United States.
• Google must make it easier for users to install and use third party app stores without added warnings or restrictions that discourage them.
• Device makers and carriers may pre install competing app stores without penalties from Google.
• Google must provide clearer information about Play Store search, ranking, and promotional practices.
• Google must follow compliance reporting and monitoring requirements so that state attorneys general can verify it is following these changes.
These changes aim to expand consumer choice, lower fees, and promote competition across the Android app marketplace.
How to Object
If you do not exclude yourself, you may object to any part of the settlement by filing a written objection with the Court by February 19, 2026, and sending copies to the addresses listed on the settlement website. Your objection should include your name, contact information, the reasons you object, and any documents you want the Court to consider. You may ask to appear at the final approval hearing, subject to the Court's procedures. People who opt out cannot object.Official Class Action Settlement Agreement
Claim Form Website: Settlement Site
Submit Contact Information
Sources
• Official Settlement Website: Pending• New York Attorney General consumer alert on Google Play settlement: ag.ny.gov Google Play settlement update
• Multistate attorneys general press release on Google Play antitrust settlement terms
Filing Class Action Settlement Claims
Please submit only truthful information when dealing with any settlement administrator. False information can be rejected and may carry penalties. If you are unsure whether you qualify, review the official settlement notices, the Frequently Asked Questions on the official website, or contact the settlement administrator or your state attorney general. OpenClassActions.com is a consumer news site and is not a settlement administrator or a law firm.
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| Class Action Summary | |
| Status | Settlement Pending Final Approval |
|---|---|
| Claim Form Deadline | No claim form required for most consumers |
| Settlement Amount | $700,000,000 |
| Category | Antitrust and Consumer Overcharges |
| Estimated Payout per Person | At least $2, with higher payments for heavier Google Play spenders |
| Case Number | 3:21-cv-05227-JD |
| Case Title | State of Utah et al. v. Google LLC et al. |
| Court | U.S. District Court, Northern District of California |
| Final Approval Hearing | April 30, 2026 |
| Class Action Settlement Website | Pending |
| Administrator | Information to be provided on the official settlement website |