Supreme Court Upholds Injunction: Google Faces October 22 Deadline for Play Store Reforms
Supreme Court Upholds Injunction: Google Faces October 22 Deadline for Play Store Reforms
The U.S. Supreme Court has denied Google’s request for a partial stay, effectively upholding a permanent injunction that mandates significant changes to the Google Play Store. This critical decision sets an immediate deadline for the tech giant, which now has until October 22, 2025, to comply with the court’s directives or face violation.
Stemming from the Epic Games antitrust lawsuit, the injunction requires Google to implement several key reforms. These include ceasing to force app developers to use Google Play Billing, allowing Android developers to inform users about alternative payment methods within the Play Store, and enabling them to link to external app downloads. Furthermore, Google must permit developers to set their own prices and discontinue sharing incentives with phonemakers, carriers, and developers for Google Play exclusivity or preinstallation. The ruling also mandates Google to collaborate with Epic on resolving disputes as it builds a system to integrate rival app stores into Google Play.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney hailed the decision, stating, “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!”
Despite the immediate compliance requirements, Google has expressed disappointment with the order and affirmed its intention to continue its appeal to the Supreme Court for certiorari by October 27, 2025 – five days after the compliance deadline. Google spokesperson Dan Jackson stated the company “will comply with its legal obligations” but added, “Android provides more choice for users and developers than any mobile OS, and the changes ordered by the US District Court will jeopardize users’ ability to safely download apps.”
The district court judge who issued the original injunction, Judge James Donato, has scheduled a hearing for October 30, 2025, where Google and Epic are expected to explain their compliance efforts. The possibility remains that the Supreme Court could still take up Google’s appeal even after the October 22 deadline has passed.
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