Google Given 14 Days to Reform Play Store After Supreme Court Rejects Stay Request

Google Faces Ticking Clock: Supreme Court Mandates Play Store Overhaul

In a significant judicial blow to Google's long-standing control over its Play Store, the U.S. Supreme Court has denied the tech giant's request to halt key provisions of a lawsuit brought forth by Epic Games. This pivotal decision compels Google to implement sweeping changes within its digital marketplace, with a strict 14-day deadline looming. The court's mandate necessitates allowing app developers to offer direct links to alternative download sources, integrate third-party payment systems, and set their own pricing structures for in-app purchases. This seismic shift, particularly the allowance for external links, is set to take effect on October 22nd, effectively giving Google a mere fortnight to comply.

A Hard-Fought Victory for Developers

For Epic Games, the creators of the immensely popular Fortnite, and a vast contingent of developers chafing under Google's hefty 30% commission, this ruling represents a monumental and deeply anticipated triumph. The sentiment was palpable as Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney took to Twitter to announce the news, proclaiming, “The Supreme Court has thrown out Google’s stay request. Starting October 22, developers will be legally entitled to steer US Google Play users to out-of-app payments without fees, scare screens, and friction — same as Apple App Store users in the US!” This victory underscores a growing sentiment against perceived monopolistic practices within app distribution platforms.

The Legal Battle's Trajectory

The core of these mandated changes originated from a ruling last year by U.S. District Judge James Donato, who sided with Epic Games' assertion that Google's restrictive Play Store policies constituted a violation of antitrust laws. Epic argued that these policies stifled competition and unfairly disadvantaged developers. Despite losing an initial appeal in July 2025, Google escalated the matter to the Supreme Court, only to face the same unfavorable outcome. The company had argued that such modifications would have 'enormous consequences' for the over 100 million Android users in the U.S. and the half-million developers operating within its ecosystem. However, Google has signaled its intent to file a 'full appeal' by October 27th, suggesting this legal saga may not be entirely concluded.

Google's Stance and the Road Ahead

Google, while expressing disappointment with the refusal to grant a stay, remains resolute in its legal challenge. Dan Jackson, a spokesperson for Google, stated, “Android provides users and developers with more choice than any mobile OS, and the changes being imposed by the District Court threaten the ability for users to download apps safely. While we are disappointed that the ruling was not stayed, we will continue with our appeal.” This ongoing dispute mirrors the protracted legal battles Epic Games has waged against Apple's App Store, a conflict that eventually saw Fortnite return to Apple's platform after years of litigation, a testament to Epic's tenacity.