To provide users additional alternatives for accessing and downloading apps, a US federal court granted Google permission to postpone the court order to revamp its Playstore app for Android until November 1, 2024.

San Francisco-based US District Judge James Donato handed down a significant decision against Google in the antitrust case brought by "Fortnite" creator Epic Games. Google contends that the October 7 order may have a significant effect on its business operations and give rise to issues with Android privacy, security, and safety. In order to allow the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals an opportunity to look into Google's application to stay the ruling, Judge Donato has delayed the injunction. Google requested a temporary stay of the order while it pursued a more thorough appeal, but Judge Donator dismissed the request.

Epic said that Google's accusations were unfounded and praised Donato's ruling as a major procedural step forward. Google's bid to delay the release of competing Android device alternatives while the appeal is still pending was denied by the court.

Epic said that in order to keep control over Android devices and make money off of their exorbitant prices, Google employed coercive tactics and irrational security warnings. A jury concluded that Google had illegally monopolized in-app downloads and app sales only for Android users in a historic decision last year. Following this ruling, the US court implemented some of Epic's recommended measures.

According to the decision, Google needs to permit customers to use alternative in-app payment methods and all users to download competing third-party Android app stores or platforms from the Play Store. The ruling also forbids Google from giving incentives to device manufacturers for preinstalling its app store and from sharing Play Store earnings with other app distributors.