The fight continues
Google is fighting tooth and nail to keep the Play Store locked down, which it claims is beneficial to Android users who expect an orderly and safe app ecosystem. The company pleaded with the US Supreme Court several weeks ago to consider the supposed negative impact of the order, asking to freeze the lower court’s order while it prepared its final appeal.
Ultimately, SCOTUS allowed the order to stand, but Google has now petitioned the high court to hear its appeal in full. The company will attempt to overturn the original ruling, which could return everything to its original state. With Google’s insistence that it is only allowing this modicum of extra freedom while the District Court’s order is in effect, devs could experience some whiplash if the company is successful.
It’s uncertain if the high court will take up the case and whether that would save Google from implementing the next phase of Judge Donato’s order. That includes providing a mirror of Play Store content to third-party app stores and distributing those stores within the Play Store. Because these are more complex technical requirements, Google has 10 months from the final ruling to comply. That puts the deadline in July 2026.
If the Supreme Court decides to hear the case, arguments likely won’t happen for at least a year. Google may try to get the summer 2026 deadline pushed back while it pursues the case. Even if it loses, the impact may be somewhat blunted. Google’s planned developer verification system will force all developers, even those distributing outside the Play Store, to confirm their identities with Google and pay a processing fee. Apps from unverified developers will not be installable on Google-certified Android devices in the coming years, regardless of where you get them. This system, which is allegedly about ensuring user security, would also hand Google more control over the Android app ecosystem as the Play Store loses its special status.