Here is when it must start

Google must hurry. After a new legal loss against Epic Games in the United States, the web giant is forced to carry out major Android and Play Store transformations to leave more room for competition. And the company does not have much time to carry out these large projects.

In fact, count at least three weeks from Friday, August 1. Thus, a little before September, the first major developments of Android and particularly of the Play Store should start to be felt.

A very short first time

Indeed, as indicated The Vergefollowing the new court decision, Google first had a period of only 14 days. The firm managed to win an emergency suspended on the United States Court of Appeal for the ninth circuit. The stay in question lasts a week. So we have a minimum of 14+7 days, three weeks.

However, this very short period does not concern all of the upheavals provided for Android. As a reminder, Google is forced with several changes.

Thus, the applications distributed on the Play Store will have the right to offer alternative payment methods, direct users to other sources than the Play Store or set prices freely. For its part, Google will be forbidden to pay to force the exclusivity of an app on the Play Store and will no longer be able to offer advantages to smartphones manufacturers in exchange for a preinstallation of the Play Store on their smartphones.

The biggest change in the play store in 2026

On the other hand, one of the biggest changes caused by this court decision will have to wait longer before materializing. Indeed, Google must also authorize the arrival of alternative App Stores directly on the Play Store while allowing these competitors to access the Play Store catalog.

For these elements, Google has been given 8 months to set up a system of safety and security procedures ” meticulously suitable ». In other words, the Epic Games Store or the Microsoft Xbox Store will wait at least 2026 before tossing the Play Store.

These developments will take place in the United States, but we do not know if the European Union, for example, will also force the hand to Google.