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GLOSSARY

Mobile Game Distribution Glossary: The DMA Era and U.S. Court Rulings

Introduction​

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) and U.S. court rulings have introduced new concepts in mobile game distribution and monetization. This glossary explains these terms and how Xsolla SDK supports developers in this evolving landscape.

As the industry adapts to regulatory changes, understanding new distribution methods and payment options is crucial. Xsolla SDK empowers developers to navigate this new ecosystem, providing compliant solutions that open up new monetization avenues.

Xsolla SDK supports the following key concepts:

iOS / Apple App Store:​

  1. External Payment Links (United States, Japan, Brazil):
    • Apple now lets developers direct players to external web payments in the United States (Epic v. Apple, April 2025), Japan (Mobile Software Competition Act, effective December 18, 2025), and Brazil (Apple's CADE antitrust settlement, effective June 18, 2026)
    • Implement link-outs to Xsolla Pay Station or Web Shop for users in these markets
    • Use iOS storefront detection to identify the user's storefront and enable region-specific payment flows
    • Xsolla SDK aligns with Apple's updated guidelines
    • Configure openExternalBrowser = true when redirecting players to web payment pages
  2. Alternative App Marketplaces ↗ (https://developer.apple.com/support/alternative-app-marketplace-in-the-eu) on iOS:
    • Apple's term for alternative App Stores, available in EU markets
    • Implement Xsolla Pay Station for in-app payments outside App Store (from 0% store fees for < 1M installs to limited fees by Apple)
    • Power your Marketplace wallet with top-up solution via Xsolla Pay Station
  3. Web Distribution ↗ (https://developer.apple.com/support/web-distribution-eu) on iOS:
    • Apple's term for side-loading on iOS via official publisher websites
    • Distribute your app directly to users from your website
    • Implement direct in-app payments via Xsolla Pay Station without App Store fees (up to 1M installs per year, further fees apply from Apple's side)
  4. Notarization ↗ (https://developer.apple.com/help/app-store-connect/distributing-apps-in-the-european-union/submit-for-notarization) for iOS:
    • Light approval process by Apple for distribution outside of App Store
    • Ensures basic safety and integrity checks for your app
    • Xsolla SDK is compatible with notarized apps, maintaining security standards
  5. Alternative Payment Options ↗ (https://developer.apple.com/support/apps-using-alternative-payment-providers-in-the-eu) on the App Store:
    • Integrate Xsolla Pay Station within App Store apps (with Apple's fees, limited regions) via Xsolla SDK
    • Offer users 1,000+ payment methods across 200+ countries

Android / Google Play:​

  1. External Payment Methods via Link-outs and Alternative Billing Solutions (United States) — Effective October 29, 2025 (through November 1, 2027):
    • Following the Epic v. Google injunction — affirmed by the Ninth Circuit on July 31, 2025 (rehearing denied September 12, 2025), and denied stay by the U.S. Supreme Court on October 6, 2025 — U.S. Google Play apps may guide users to external payment methods via link-outs and use alternative billing solutions
    • Developers are no longer subject to anti-steering restrictions in the United States
    • Developers must enroll in the applicable Google program and accept updated terms of service: External Content Links Program ↗ (https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/16470497) for link-outs to external purchase pages, and/or Alternative Billing Program ↗ (https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/16497028) for using non-Google billing within the app. Developers can participate in both programs simultaneously
    • Under the current injunction, developers use these programs with no fees to Google through November 1, 2027. Google has published a fee schedule in its program documentation but is not collecting any fees while the injunction is in effect: for the External Content Links Program — 10% for subscriptions / 20% for other in-app items, plus $2.85 per app install or $3.65 per game install (within 24 hours of a link click); for the Alternative Billing Program — 10% for subscriptions / 25% for other in-app items. A proposed Epic-Google settlement (no final hearing date confirmed; parties ordered to submit briefs in February 2026; FTC has filed serious objections; Judge Donato publicly skeptical after a secret $800M side-deal between Epic and Google was revealed in court on January 22, 2026) would, if approved, supersede both the injunction and Google's published rates with 9% for non-gameplay items / 20% for gameplay-affecting items + a separate 5% Google Play Billing fee, effective through June 2032; if rejected, the no-fee regime under the injunction continues through November 1, 2027
    • Implement link-outs to Xsolla Pay Station or Web Shop for U.S. users
    • Use Google Play storefront detection to identify U.S. users (country code "US") and enable region-specific payment flows
    • Xsolla SDK ensures full compliance with Google's revised requirements for U.S. apps
  2. Side-loading on Android ↗ (https://developer.android.com/distribute/marketing-tools/alternative-distribution):
  3. APK Marketing & Distribution:
    • Leverage partnerships with channels like Digital Turbine for wider reach and enable instant APK installation on Android devices
    • Tap into new user acquisition channels beyond Google Play and pave your own way
    • Xsolla is compatible with attribution tools for your APK distribution, ensuring you can continue optimizing your performance

Conclusion​

The mobile gaming landscape is rapidly changing due to regulations like the DMA, U.S. court rulings (including the April 30, 2025 iOS decision and the Epic v. Google injunction effective October 29, 2025 through November 1, 2027), new external-payment laws in Japan and Brazil, and evolving platform policies. Xsolla SDK offers a comprehensive toolkit to navigate these changes, helping you maximize revenue and reach across all available channels.

We update this information regularly. For the most current details, see the News. For tailored guidance, please consult your Business Development representative or Customer Success Manager.

By using Xsolla SDK, you're positioning your game to thrive in this dynamic environment, unlocking new revenue streams and innovative distribution channels.