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Валентин ШнайдерAround IT
7 October 2025, 12:34
2025-10-07
The US Supreme Court rejected Google's request: the company must allow alternative payments, external links and access to third-party stores on Google Play
The US Supreme Court has not stayed the permanent injunction in the Epic Games v. Google case. The company must comply with the court’s demands this month: remove the requirement for its own payment system, allow links to other payment methods and download applications outside the store on Google Play, and prepare a mechanism for third-party stores to access it.
The US Supreme Court has not stayed the permanent injunction in the Epic Games v. Google case. The company must comply with the court’s demands this month: remove the requirement for its own payment system, allow links to other payment methods and download applications outside the store on Google Play, and prepare a mechanism for third-party stores to access it.
The decision is reported by The Verge. Refusal to «pause» means that the ban is effective immediately. According to Epic Games, the deadline for compliance is October 22, 2025. By that time, Google must:
remove the requirement to use only Google Play Billing;
allow developers to inform about alternative payments and provide direct links within the store;
allow links to install applications outside of Play;
not to limit developers' pricing;
End financial incentives to smartphone manufacturers, carriers, and developers in exchange for exclusivity or pre-installation;
together with Epic, create a joint technical committee that will determine a safe way to integrate competing stores into Google Play.
Google has not publicly detailed the steps it will take, but it says it will «comply with its legal obligations» while continuing its appeal. The company stressed: «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… we will continue our appeal.» Google intends to file a petition for review with the Supreme Court by October 27, 2025 — well after the enforcement deadline. District Court Judge James Donato has summoned the parties to October 30 to hear how they are complying with the ban.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said that starting October 22, developers in the US will be «legally authorized» to direct Google Play users to payments outside the store without fees and «scary» screens, and will also receive broader distribution and pricing options.
Google recently asked the Supreme Court to suspend the ruling and delay the opening of third-party stores to the Play ecosystem. The current denial deprives the company of a «time buffer» and obliges it to quickly implement a new model: more freedom of payment and distribution for developers — and fewer exclusivity restrictions for partners from Google.
Previously, dev.ua wrote about how Google is redesigning the Play Store to match content to interests and speak to the user in natural language. There is an «intent-based» search, a separate section for personal recommendations and statistics, and even an in-game assistant that prompts you while you’re playing.
