After years of legal battles, Google’s long dispute with Fortnite creator Epic Games has reached a major turning point, and this time, it is not in Google’s favor.
The conflict began in 2023 when a California jury found that Google was operating its Play Store as an unfair monopoly, limiting competition and charging developers excessive fees. US District Judge James Donato then ordered Google to let rival app stores operate within Google Play, allow developers to use other payment systems, and make it easier for users to find alternative apps.
Despite Google’s repeated appeals to delay or overturn the order, both the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and now the US Supreme Court have refused to intervene, meaning those changes are officially moving forward.
The Supreme Court has rejected Google’s emergency bid to pause Judge Donato’s injunction while the company continues its appeal, Reuters reports. As a result, Google must now begin following new competition rules in the coming months. Soon, developers will be able to link directly to external payment systems instead of using Google’s billing system. This change is expected to take effect later this month. A bigger shift is coming in July 2026, when Google will have to allow other app stores within the Play Store. This decision significantly reduces Google’s control over Android’s app marketplace and requires the company to open up its platform.
Google warns of security risks, but courts aren’t buying it
Google has opposed the ruling at every stage. The company says these changes could lead to serious security, reputation, and user risks, warning that unregulated app stores might put users at risk of malware and scams. Google maintains that its current system protects both developers and consumers, and describes the injunction as unprecedented and harmful to the Android ecosystem.
For Epic Games and many developers who have been frustrated by Google’s 30% commission fees, this is a long-awaited victory. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney welcomed the decision, saying it means developers will now be legally entitled to direct users to lower-cost payment options outside of Google’s system.
The Supreme Court’s decision follows a similar outcome at the Ninth Circuit in September, where judges also denied Google’s request to pause the injunction. With no further options, Google is now under increasing pressure to start making the required changes. Meanwhile, Epic has asked the court for more than $205 million in legal fees, saying the size and success of the case justify the amount.
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