Google's Play Store Overhaul: 14 Days to Comply After Court Loss

10/07/2025 Mobile

The clock is ticking for Google. Following a Supreme Court decision, the tech giant has just 14 days to implement significant changes to the Google Play Store. This stems from their legal battle with Epic Games, and it's a pretty big deal.

At the heart of the matter is Google's control over the Android app ecosystem. The court's decision means Google can no longer force developers to use Google Play Billing for apps distributed through its store. They also can't stop developers from directing users to alternative download methods outside of the Play Store and have to allow developers to set their own prices. Furthermore, Google must cease offering financial incentives to phone manufacturers, carriers, or app developers for Play Store exclusivity or pre-installation. It appears, for the moment at least, that Google has to play nice with everyone else.

What does this all mean for you and me? Well, potentially lower prices on apps, more choice in where you download them from, and a fairer playing field for developers. I think that it will bring some pretty significant changes to the app ecosystem as we know it.

Google isn't backing down completely, though. They are still pursuing an appeal to the Supreme Court, hoping for a different outcome. However, for now, they have to comply with these changes. It feels a bit like a David vs. Goliath situation, and it's interesting to see how things are unfolding.

There's a future deadline looming, too. In July 2026, Google may also have to allow rival app stores on the Play Store and make its app catalog available to competitors, depending on the outcome of their appeal. If that happens, it will change the landscape even more dramatically. In my view, Google might have a hard time winning this fight.