The ongoing legal battle between Epic Games and Apple continues, with a federal judge accusing Apple of not complying with a previous ruling that requires it to open iPhones to competing app stores.

A recent ruling from the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has upheld a verdict declaring that Google maintains an 'illegal monopoly' over Android through its Play Store and billing practices.

The case has garnered support from various entities, including Microsoft and the US Justice Department, who back Epic's stance against Google's dominance in the mobile app market.

Despite the ruling, Google has indicated plans to appeal, potentially bringing the case to the US Supreme Court, while the injunction requiring changes to the Play Store remains in effect.

Google's VP of regulatory affairs expressed concerns that the ruling could harm user safety and innovation within the Android ecosystem.

In October 2023, US District Judge James Donato ordered Google to implement reforms that include allowing rival app stores to be downloaded and making its app catalog available to competitors.

This decision paves the way for Epic Games to return to the Google Play Store, following a series of legal challenges against Google.

As part of the ruling, Google is prohibited from incentivizing developers to launch exclusively on its store and cannot enforce its own billing system, with these restrictions lasting for three years.

The court's decision may activate a permanent injunction that could allow for third-party app stores on Android, fundamentally altering the platform's ecosystem.

Currently, the mobile version of the Epic Games Store is only available in the European Union for iPhone and iPad users, while Android users can sideload it from the web.

The addition of the Epic Games Store to the Play Store is expected to simplify access for Android users, eliminating the need for sideloading or special agreements with device manufacturers.

Developers, including Epic's CEO, argue that Google and Apple maintain a duopoly in the mobile app market, abusing their dominant positions by enforcing their own download and payment platforms.