Google Rushes Supreme Court to Stall Epic Games App-Store Shake-up

• Google seeks stay on Play Store changes, citing harm to users and developers.
• Epic Games says the injunction promotes competition and gives Android users more choice.
• If denied, the October order could reshape app distribution and payments on Android.

Google has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to temporarily delay a federal injunction that would force major changes to its Play Store, intensifying its long-running legal battle with Fortnite-maker Epic Games.

The order, set to take effect in October, could require Google to allow third-party app stores, enable external payment links, and give competitors access to its app catalog, raising concerns about security and ecosystem disruption.

Google Warns of ‘Irreparable Harm’ in Bid to Halt Epic App-Store Injunction

In a filing late Wednesday, Google urged the U.S. Supreme Court, addressing Justice Elena Kagan, to issue a stay on “key portions” of the injunction while it prepares a full appeal. The company argued that the order, set to take effect Oct. 22, would cause “irreparable harm” to the Android ecosystem consisting of users, developers, and Google’s business if allowed to take effect. Google requested that the court rule on its stay request by Oct.17 and stated it plans to submit a full petition by Oct. 27.

The injunction originates from Epic Games’ 2020 antitrust lawsuit against Google, which accused the company of monopolizing Android app distribution and in-app payments. Following a 2023 jury ruling in Epic’s favor, U.S. District Judge James Donato issued an injunction in 2024 requiring Google to allow third-party app stores, enable external payment links, and grant competitors access to its app catalog and APIs. 

The Ninth Circuit upheld the decision in July 2025, and the order is set to take effect soon unless the Supreme Court intervenes, aiming to boost competition and reduce Google’s control over the Android ecosystem.

Google told the Supreme Court the remedy is “unprecedented” and could risk security, reputation, and operations. It said opening Play Store distribution or third-party payments might expose users to malware and fraud, while harming over 100 million U.S. Android users and 500,000 developers.

Epic pushes back as stakes rise

Epic Games called Google’s security and disruption claims “flawed,” saying the injunction targets anti-competitive practices and would increase consumer choice while reducing costs. After the Ninth Circuit court upheld the ruling, Epic said it plans to expand Fortnite and Epic Games Store distribution within the U.S. Play ecosystem if the injunction stands. This means Android users could soon see more options for downloading apps and making in-app purchases outside of Google’s Play Store.

The dispute highlights scrutiny of big-tech platform rules. For Google, the order threatens its in-app purchase model, while for developers and rivals, it could open new distribution and payment options. The Supreme Court’s response to Google’s stay request is pending. If denied, Google may need to start implementing parts of the injunction, triggering changes to Android app distribution and payments and prompting compliance planning by Google, carriers, and device makers.