Google opens applications for Registered App Stores program
Google has begun accepting applications for its Registered App Stores program, which provides third-party app stores with native integration features on Android devices outside the United States.
Google is moving to formalize its third-party app store framework outside the U.S. market by opening registration for its new Android program. The initiative follows ongoing antitrust litigation involving the company's control over the mobile ecosystem.
Approved app stores will gain access to features previously reserved for the Google Play Store. These include single-click app installation and the ability to perform silent background updates, effectively narrowing the functionality gap between Google's proprietary store and third-party alternatives.
Participation is limited to international markets, as U.S.-based Android app store access is governed by separate court mandates. The program is expected to begin deploying to select Android devices starting December 1.
A Google spokesperson stated that the program aims to provide a streamlined experience for third-party stores while maintaining system security protocols. The rollout is part of a broader shift in how Google manages competition within the Android platform.