In the ongoing legal clash between Epic and Google, a U.S. judge has shown a tendency to side with the need for Google to overhaul its bundled billing approach within the Google Play Store. Specifically, the judge ordered Google to make its app store more open, separate its billing system from the app store framework, and allow developers to insert links that direct users from Google Play to external websites for both downloads and payments. This sequence of directives emerged from Epic's antitrust lawsuit against Google, which accused the tech giant of engaging in unlawful monopolistic activities within the Android app distribution and in-app payment sectors.

After a protracted legal battle, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, in July 2025, upheld the decision of the lower court, declaring Google guilty of anticompetitive conduct and mandating that it implement measures to reinstate competition. These measures encompass permitting users to download rival app stores from its Play Store and granting competitors access to its app catalog. Moreover, the injunction stipulates that Google must allow developers to embed external links in their apps, thereby enabling users to circumvent Google's payment system. Although Google contested the ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court, in October 2025, declined to halt the enforcement of critical aspects of the order, thereby allowing it to come into effect. Ultimately, in November 2025, Google entered into a comprehensive settlement with Epic, consenting to enact substantial reforms to its Android app distribution and payment mechanisms. These alterations will remain in force until June 2032 and will have a global reach.