Google gets 7 more days to make Play Store changes forced by US court that the company says pose “enormous security risks” for Android users

Google and Epic Games jointly requested a seven-day delay, pushing the deadline for Google to implement sweeping changes to its Play Store has been pushed back by one week, moving from October 22 to October 29, 2025. US District Court Judge James Donato approved the extension following a joint request from both Google and Epic Games, though neither company has publicly explained the reason for the delay.The postponement gives Google additional time before it must allow developers to bypass its billing system, let users download rival app stores, and stop requiring Google Play Billing for apps distributed through its platform. These changes stem from Epic's 2023 jury trial victory in San Francisco, where the court found Google's app store practices violated antitrust law.Google plans to file a full Supreme Court appeal by October 27th, just two days before the new deadline. The company previously asked the Supreme Court in September to pause the injunction entirely, but the justices declined that request in October. Google has argued the changes pose "enormous security and safety risks" and would affect over 100 million US Android users and 500,000 developers.The company claims the order would enable malicious app stores to proliferate and force developers to monitor numerous platforms that might carry their apps without permission. Google also contends it would make avoiding compensation for Play Store services "substantially easier" for developers.The injunction, issued by Judge Donato following Epic's 2020 lawsuit, requires Google to open its ecosystem for three years. While some provisions won't take effect until July 2026—including allowing rival app stores within Google Play and sharing Play's app catalog with competitors—the October 29th deadline specifically covers developer billing freedom and external payment links.Epic CEO Tim Sweeney had previously celebrated the original October 22nd date, stating developers would finally operate "without fees, scare screens, and friction." The San Francisco-based 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the injunction in July, finding Google's "anticompetitive conduct entrenched its dominance."