Google is giving up its fight against Epic Games which will allow third-party app stores on Android aside from Google’s Play Store. Epic Games’ lawsuit demanded that Google should not only allow third-party app stores on the Android operating system but should also provide them through the Google Play Store. While Google initially planned to challenge this lawsuit, it seems like the company has given up on it and is opening Android to these app stores starting July 22.
According to The Verge, Google has dropped its legal challenge against the court’s injunction that requires the Play Store to support third-party app stores. In a statement submitted to the court, the company said, “We’ve agreed with Epic to withdraw our motion to modify the US Court’s injunction rather than prolonging this process which creates uncertainty for the ecosystem. This allows us to focus on executing our recently announced global business model evolution to deliver greater app store choice, lower prices, and more opportunities for developers and users. We remain committed to maintaining Android’s industry-leading security and fostering a competitive ecosystem where every app store and developer has the freedom to compete. In parallel, we continue to comply with the US Court’s injunction.”
Google, in a support page, explains that “Starting on July 22, 2026, your US apps and games listing(s), including the name of your apps and games, their icons, their description, and any screenshots and videos you provided to Google Play, will be made available to third-party US Android app stores. (This is to comply with a US Court order.) Third-party US Android app stores will be able to offer these apps to users, and the download of these apps will be completed through Google Play on the same terms as any other download that is made directly through the Google Play store. Google Play’s service fee will continue to apply to apps downloaded in this manner.”
Also Read: Google Expands Billing Choices on Google Play, Also Lowers Fees
Google also says that developers can opt out of including their app listing(s) in the catalogs made available to enrolled third-party US Android app stores.
Also, note that third-party app stores on Android are only coming to the US for now, which means rest of the world will still have Play Store as their primary source of downloading apps and games safely. Starting July 22, third-party app stores on Android will have to pay an annual access fee of $5,000 to distribute apps through the Play Store, with Google stating that the fee covers security and policy reviews.
Initially, the policy will apply only in the US. To qualify, third-party app stores must maintain clear and non-discriminatory trust and safety policies, remain open to all eligible developers, distribute apps only within the US, and ensure that fewer than one percent of all app installation attempts involve malware.
Author: Abhishek Malhotra
Source: The Mobile Indian
Reviewed By: Editorial Team
