Google Gets Temporary Relief, Keeping Rivals Out of Android Play Store for Now
%20(3).jpg "Google Gets Temporary Relief, Keeping Rivals Out of Android Play Store for Now")
In the ongoing legal battle between Epic Games and Google over Play Store access, Google has won a temporary stay, giving the tech giant some breathing room. For now, the company doesn't have to open the Android Play Store to rival app stores, which could keep things this way for quite some time.
Epic Games and Google both confirmed to The Verge that the stay halts a court order that would have forced Google to loosen its tight grip on third-party app stores by November 1st. This comes after Google has been fighting tooth and nail against the ruling that claims its Play Store operates like an illegal monopoly. The company isn't just pushing back on this order—it's also opposing the December 2023 ruling with similar allegations.
The current stay buys enough time for the Ninth Circuit appeals court to review the case and likely grant a more permanent delay. Judge James Donato, who is presiding over the case, expects this to happen, meaning Google could continue its usual business practices unless the court rules otherwise.
What exactly does this mean? Well, if the order had gone through, developers could have stopped using Google's mandatory in-app billing system, giving them more freedom—and likely cutting into Google's revenue. Developers might have also had the option to bring third-party app stores, like Epic’s Games Store, onto the Play Store. All of this would’ve disrupted Google's control over the app marketplace, something they clearly want to avoid.
Google has already voiced its satisfaction with the stay, calling the requested changes by Epic “dangerous.” The company argues that allowing third-party stores or alternative billing systems could threaten the security of the Play Store, which they claim is essential for users. Epic, meanwhile, chose not to comment.
It’s no shock that Google wants to delay things. According to Priori Data, Google raked in over $45.6 billion from Play Store sales in 2023, with a whopping $34.3 billion coming from gaming alone. If developers were allowed to bypass Google’s billing system, it could lead to a massive revenue drop, especially from those who feel that Google's cut is too large or its rules too restrictive. While users already have the option to sideload apps or install alternative app stores, Google’s Play Store remains the most popular and trusted option, making it much more lucrative.
Epic, on the other hand, has been one of the loudest critics of Google’s policies, especially after its popular game Fortnite was booted from the Play Store for using Epic’s own billing system. By doing this, Epic gave gamers a chance to pay less for in-game content—something Google wasn’t happy about. Epic has been fighting similar battles with Apple and Samsung, with hopes of launching the Games Store on Google’s platform by 2025.
Epic’s efforts have been met with mixed results. While it managed to get the Epic Games Store onto iOS devices in the European Union, thanks to the region’s Digital Markets Act, Apple hasn’t allowed the store on its App Store. Apple has also managed to delay the requirement for steering—guiding users to non-Apple payment systems—by over two years.
Despite these challenges, Epic remains financially strong, buoyed by the success of Fortnite and its Games Store, along with recent layoffs that have helped keep the company stable. While they didn’t score a win against Google this year, it’s clear that this stay puts pressure on Epic to find new ways to generate revenue, instead of banking on a mobile Games Store breakthrough.
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