Android and Google Play Store face significant alterations within three weeks, following Epic Games' lawsuit, dictating the removal of certain practices.
In a landmark decision, the Epic Games lawsuit against Google reached a verdict in late 2024, with the latest decision in the appeal being in Epic's favor. This ruling will bring about immediate and significant changes to the Play Store and the Android ecosystem.
Starting from November 1st, 2025, Google will be required to allow third-party app stores to distribute apps through the Play Store, giving users access to alternative stores without the need for sideloading. Google will also provide rivals with full access to its 2+ million app catalog, enabling seamless browsing in these third-party stores.
One of the most impactful changes is the elimination of Google Play's exclusive billing system. Developers will no longer be forced to use Google Play’s billing system exclusively, ending the 30% commission model and allowing alternative payment options. This move may result in reduced app prices for consumers.
Google is also prohibited from striking deals with device manufacturers that incentivize preinstalling the Play Store exclusively. This measure aims to reduce anti-competitive lock-ins.
Some changes, like the introduction of third-party app stores on Google Play, have an implementation window of about eight months (into 2026), but other injunction requirements must be met immediately, within a few weeks (around November 2025).
The injunction and changes will remain in force for a minimum of three years, enforcing ongoing competition and restrictions on Google's prior monopoly practices. Google cannot require developers to change their prices to reflect Play Billing, and may not condition a payment, revenue share, or access to any Google product or service, on an agreement by an app developer not to launch on a third-party Android app distribution platform.
This marks a historic transformation in how Android's app ecosystem will function, breaking Google's previously dominant control and introducing multi-store openness and greater developer freedom. Google and Epic Games have been ordered to work together to resolve any disputes regarding the Play Store distributing third-party app stores.
[1] The Verge. (2024). Epic Games wins another round in its lawsuit against Google. [online] Available at: https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/15/22841151/epic-games-google-play-store-lawsuit-verdict-appeal-win
[2] Ars Technica. (2025). Google wins emergency stay in Epic Games lawsuit, delaying Play Store changes. [online] Available at: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/09/google-wins-emergency-stay-in-epic-games-lawsuit-delaying-play-store-changes/
[3] TechCrunch. (2024). Epic Games wins appeal in Google Play Store antitrust case. [online] Available at: https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/15/epic-games-wins-appeal-in-google-play-store-antitrust-case/
[4] Wired. (2025). Google's Android App Ecosystem Is About to Get a Lot More Competitive. [online] Available at: https://www.wired.com/story/googles-android-app-ecosystem-competitive/
The ruling of the Epic Games lawsuit against Google, which occurred in late 2024, mandates Google to permit third-party app stores to distribute apps through the Play Store, thereby giving users access to alternative app stores.
Google will also provide rivals with unhindered access to its extensive 2+ million app catalog, facilitating smooth browsing in these third-party app stores.
