Supreme Court Upholds App Store Reforms for Google

• The U.S. Supreme Court declined to block a ruling that requires Google to open its Play Store to rival app stores and alternative payment links.

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected Google’s request to pause key parts of a federal injunction requiring changes to its Android app store practices. The decision stems from a lawsuit filed by Epic Games, which accused Google of monopolizing app distribution and in-app payment systems on Android devices. A federal appeals court upheld the injunction in July, reinforcing the lower court’s order. Google now plans to file a full appeal by October 27, potentially bringing the case before the justices during their current term.

Key Provisions and Timeline of the Injunction

Issued by U.S. District Judge James Donato, the injunction mandates that Google allow users to download competing app stores from within the Play Store. It also requires Google to make its app catalog accessible to rival platforms, with these provisions scheduled to take effect in July 2026. More immediately, developers will be permitted to include external payment links in their apps, bypassing Google’s billing system. This change is expected to roll out later this month, marking a significant shift in how transactions are handled on Android.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney stated that developers will soon be legally entitled to direct users to out-of-app payment options without incurring platform fees. Google, while expressing disappointment with the Supreme Court’s decision, confirmed its intention to continue challenging the ruling. The company has argued that the injunction could harm its reputation, compromise user safety, and create competitive disadvantages. In its filing, Google emphasized the potential impact on over 100 million U.S. Android users and half a million developers.

Legal Background and Antitrust Implications

Epic’s lawsuit, filed in 2020, alleged that Google’s app store policies violated U.S. antitrust laws by restricting competition and limiting consumer choice. A jury trial in San Francisco concluded in 2023 with a verdict favoring Epic, prompting Judge Donato’s sweeping order. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later affirmed the injunction, citing extensive evidence of Google’s conduct reinforcing its market dominance. Epic has maintained that Google’s security concerns are overstated and serve to justify restrictive control over Android devices.

Google contends that the mandated changes are unprecedented and could disrupt the app ecosystem. The company believes that allowing external payment links and rival app stores introduces risks that outweigh the benefits. Epic, on the other hand, argues that increased competition will lead to better pricing and more options for consumers and developers. The broader legal context includes additional lawsuits against Google related to its search and advertising practices, indicating ongoing scrutiny of its business model.