Published: December 4, 2025
Millions of Android users across the United States are now being notified that they may receive cash from a $700 million Google Play Store antitrust settlement — often without filing any claim form at all.
Following a new consumer alert from New York Attorney General Letitia James on December 3, 2025, eligible users are learning how restitution from the long‑running case will be distributed and what they need to do (or not do) to get paid. [1]
Below is a clear, step‑by‑step guide to the settlement, eligibility rules, key deadlines, and how payments will work for Android users in 2025 and 2026.
Why is Google paying $700 million over the Play Store?
The settlement stems from a multistate antitrust lawsuit led by Utah and New York, joined by 53 attorneys general from almost every U.S. state and territory. [2]
The states alleged that Google:
- Illegally maintained a monopoly over Android app distribution through the Google Play Store
- Forced or pressured developers to use Google Play Billing
- Restricted rival app stores and alternative billing options
- Allowed fees of up to 30% on app purchases and in‑app purchases, which were ultimately passed on to consumers. [3]
Google denies wrongdoing but agreed in December 2023 to pay $700 million to resolve the case:
- $630 million is earmarked for consumer restitution
- $70 million goes to the states for penalties, fees, and other costs. [4]
Court filings estimate that around 102 million U.S. Android users could be eligible for money from this settlement. [5]
Beyond the money, Google must also change how its app store operates, including allowing easier use of third‑party app stores and more flexibility for developers to use and promote alternative billing options. [6]
Who is eligible for a payment?
According to public settlement summaries and state attorney general guidance, you may be eligible if all of the following are true: [7]
- You used an Android device and Google Play.
- You paid for apps or in‑app content (including subscriptions) through Google Play Billing — not just free downloads.
- Your purchases were made between August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023.
- You lived in any U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands at the time of the purchases. [8]
If you qualify, you are part of a nationwide consumer class in the case State of Utah, et al. v. Google LLC, et al. (3:21‑cv‑05227‑JD) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. [9]
How much money could you receive?
Exact payout amounts will vary, but the structure is clear:
- Minimum payment:
Most eligible consumers will receive at least $2, subject to court approval. [10] - More for heavier spenders:
After deducting court‑approved fees, administrative costs, and the states’ $70 million share, the remaining consumer fund is divided pro rata — based on how much each person spent during the settlement period compared with all other eligible consumers. [11]
In plain terms:
The more you spent on Google Play paid apps, in‑app purchases, and subscriptions between 2016 and 2023, the larger your payout is likely to be.
However, this is still a mass settlement funded by a finite pool of money. For many people, the payment will likely be a small credit — a few dollars — rather than a huge refund, while heavy spenders could receive more substantial amounts.
How will Google Play settlement payments be sent?
The most important news for December 2025: most people won’t have to file a claim form at all.
Automatic payments via PayPal or Venmo
New York’s Attorney General and multiple news outlets report that: [12]
- Google has already paid $630 million into the consumer settlement fund.
- Starting December 2, 2025, eligible consumers began receiving notices about the settlement and the upcoming payment process. [13]
- Most payments will be made automatically — no claim form needed in the majority of cases.
Here’s how it will work for most users:
- The settlement administrator uses Google Play transaction data to calculate your payment.
- Once the court grants final approval, you will receive:
- An email from PayPal, or
- A text message from Venmo,
sent to the email address or mobile number associated with your Google Play account. [14]
- If that contact information already matches an existing PayPal or Venmo account, the money is deposited directly into that account.
- If not, you’ll have the option to create a new account or link an existing PayPal or Venmo account to receive your payment. [15]
Supplemental claims process for others
Not everyone will be reached automatically. The settlement provides a supplemental claims process for consumers who: [16]
- Do not use PayPal or Venmo and don’t want to sign up
- No longer have access to the email or phone number linked to their Google Play account
- Believe they should have received a payment but did not
Those consumers will be able to submit a claim later, with instructions to be posted on the official settlement website, GooglePlayStateAGAntitrustLitigation.com. [17]
You can already submit your contact information there to get an email when the supplemental claims process opens.
Key dates and deadlines (as of December 4, 2025)
According to official notices and consumer alerts, key dates in the settlement include: [18]
- December 2, 2025 – Settlement administrator begins sending notices to eligible consumers about the claims process.
- February 19, 2026 –
- Exclusion (opt‑out) deadline: last day to request exclusion if you do not want to be part of the settlement and want to preserve your right to sue Google separately.
- Objection deadline: last day to file a written objection if you stay in the settlement but disagree with any part of it.
- April 30, 2026 – Final approval (fairness) hearing in federal court, where the judge will decide whether to approve the settlement.
When will the money actually arrive?
Payments will only be sent after:
- The court grants final approval at or after the April 30, 2026 hearing, and
- Any appeals are resolved.
Consumer settlement trackers note that, in large cases like this, payments usually begin several months after final approval, but exact timing depends on the court and the claims administration process. [19]
What Android users should do now
Here’s a practical checklist for December 2025:
1. Confirm you’re likely eligible
Ask yourself:
- Did I buy any apps, games, or in‑app items on Google Play between August 16, 2016 and September 30, 2023?
- Was I living in the U.S., D.C., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands at the time? [20]
If yes, you’re probably part of the settlement class.
You can check your Google Play purchase history in your Google account or Play Store settings to jog your memory.
2. Make sure you can access your Google Play contact info
Because notifications and payments will go to the email and phone number tied to your Google Play account, make sure you:
- Still have access to that email inbox
- Still use that phone number, or can receive texts there
If you’ve changed email or phone since your big app‑spending years, you’ll want to pay extra attention to the supplemental claims process once it goes live.
3. Check your PayPal and Venmo details
If you already use PayPal or Venmo, consider:
- Making sure the email/phone in those accounts matches what’s on your Google Play account, or
- Being ready to link them when you receive an official payment notice. [21]
4. Watch for legitimate emails and texts
Genuine payment notices will:
- Come from PayPal or Venmo
- Reference the Google Play Store settlement
- Allow you to accept money without paying any fee
Scammers may try to piggyback on this news, so do not:
- Click on links in messages that ask for your password, Social Security number, or full bank/credit card numbers
- Pay a “processing fee” to receive your settlement money
- Trust look‑alike domains or unofficial social media accounts
If in doubt, you can navigate directly to GooglePlayStateAGAntitrustLitigation.com or your state attorney general’s official website instead of clicking links in messages. [22]
5. Decide whether to stay in or opt out
You generally have four options: [23]
- Do nothing and stay in the settlement
- You’ll receive payment automatically if you qualify and your payment can be delivered.
- Exclude yourself (opt out) by February 19, 2026
- You won’t receive money from this settlement, but you keep the right to sue Google on your own about the same issues.
- Object by February 19, 2026
- You stay in the settlement but tell the court what you like or dislike about it.
- Participate later in the supplemental claims process if you weren’t paid automatically.
Read the notices carefully before deciding — opting out usually means no payment at all from this settlement.
How this fits into the broader Big Tech antitrust fight
This Google Play settlement is one piece of a wider push to rein in the power of major tech platforms.
In a separate case, Epic Games v. Google, a federal jury in 2023 found that Google illegally maintained a monopoly over the Android app distribution and billing market, including through restrictive deals and requirements related to the Play Store. [24]
The Google Play state AG settlement requires Google to:
- Allow developers to promote cheaper prices and alternative billing options
- Make it easier for users to install and use third‑party app stores
- Loosen restrictions on device makers who want to pre‑install competing app stores
- Comply with ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements. [25]
Taken together, these changes are designed to:
- Expand consumer choice
- Reduce app and in‑app prices over time
- Give developers more bargaining power and flexibility
Consumers will feel the most direct impact through small cash payments now and, potentially, more competitive app prices and options in the coming years.
Quick FAQ: Google Play $700M settlement
Do I need to file a claim to get money?
In most cases, no. If you’re included in the settlement, the administrator will calculate your payment using Google’s records and attempt to pay you automatically via PayPal or Venmo after final court approval. [26]
What if I’ve never used PayPal or Venmo?
You can create an account when you receive a notice, or wait for the supplemental claims process, which will offer other ways to receive payment. Details will be posted on the official settlement site. [27]
Is there a deadline to claim my money?
For most people, there’s no traditional claim form deadline because payments are automatic. However, February 19, 2026 is the key deadline to opt out or object, and a separate deadline will apply later for any supplemental claims process. [28]
Does this apply to iPhone users or Apple’s App Store?
No. This settlement only covers Android users and Google Play purchases. It is unrelated to any disputes involving Apple’s App Store.
Where can I get official information?
Official notices, FAQs, and forms are available on the settlement website GooglePlayStateAGAntitrustLitigation.com, and through your state attorney general’s website, such as the New York Attorney General’s December 3, 2025 consumer alert. [29]
If you’ve ever purchased an app, game, or in‑app item from Google Play in the last decade, this settlement is worth paying attention to. For many Android users, a small but meaningful refund — delivered automatically — is finally on the way once the court gives its final approval.
References
1. ag.ny.gov, 2. ag.ny.gov, 3. ag.ny.gov, 4. www.washingtonpost.com, 5. www.washingtonpost.com, 6. openclassactions.com, 7. ag.ny.gov, 8. www.claimdepot.com, 9. www.claimdepot.com, 10. www.claimdepot.com, 11. www.claimdepot.com, 12. ag.ny.gov, 13. ag.ny.gov, 14. ag.ny.gov, 15. ag.ny.gov, 16. ag.ny.gov, 17. ag.ny.gov, 18. ag.ny.gov, 19. openclassactions.com, 20. www.claimdepot.com, 21. ag.ny.gov, 22. ag.ny.gov, 23. openclassactions.com, 24. en.wikipedia.org, 25. openclassactions.com, 26. ag.ny.gov, 27. ag.ny.gov, 28. ag.ny.gov, 29. ag.ny.gov
