Google to Allow Third-Party Android App Stores July 22
Google has agreed to allow third-party app stores to be distributed on Android devices in the US, following a legal settlement with Epic Games.
Google will begin allowing third-party app stores on Android devices in the United States starting Wednesday, July 22. This change comes as both Google and Epic Games have withdrawn their joint attempt to settle a lawsuit that mandates changes to how Android app stores operate.
The lawsuit, initially filed by Epic Games in 2020, challenged Google's Play Store policies. Judge James Donato had previously ruled that Google must enable rival app stores within its own Play Store and share its app catalog with them. The withdrawal of the settlement attempt means this ruling will proceed.
Epic Games has been advocating for the ability to distribute its own app store and applications within the Android ecosystem without Google's imposed restrictions and fees. This development could significantly alter the mobile app distribution landscape in the US.
The specifics of how Google will implement this change and which third-party stores will be involved remain to be seen. The agreement specifically pertains to the US market as part of the legal resolution with Epic Games.