Google Opens Play Store to Third-Party Android App Stores From July 22

Google will allow competing app stores onto the Android Play Store starting July 22, marking a significant shift in how it manages its mobile ecosystem. The move follows a settlement with Epic Games, ending a protracted antitrust battle that began in 2020.

Under the new policy, third-party Android app stores can list their entire catalogues directly on Google Play. Users will be able to browse and install these marketplaces without sideloading or changing device settings.

Play Catalog Access Program

Google's Play Catalog Access Program is the mechanism behind this change. It allows rival stores to offer their own apps and games through Google's infrastructure, while still handling their own payments and distribution.

The company says the program is designed to give developers more choice. Participants must meet Google's safety and security standards, including malware scanning and content review.

Epic Games, which had sued Google over its app store monopoly, will be among the first to use the program. The Fortnite maker has long argued that Google's 30% commission and restrictions on third-party stores were anticompetitive.

End of a Long Legal Fight

The settlement comes after years of courtroom battles. In 2024, a jury found that Google had violated antitrust laws by requiring certain apps to use its billing system and by paying device makers to block rival stores.

Google had appealed that verdict. But with the new program, both sides have agreed to drop further litigation. Epic will also pay Google a sum that has not been disclosed.

Industry analysts say the deal could reshape the Android app market. Smaller storefronts like the Amazon Appstore or Samsung Galaxy Store may now gain wider visibility.

What This Means for Users

For Android users, the change means they will soon see alternative app stores listed alongside familiar apps on Google Play. These stores will appear as regular apps, complete with ratings and reviews.

Users can install them with a single tap. Once installed, they can browse and download apps from that store's catalogue, which may include titles not available on Google Play.

Google has not yet clarified how it will handle revenue sharing from apps sold through third-party stores on its platform. The company says details will be shared closer to the launch date.

Developers who want to distribute apps through rival stores will need to sign up with those marketplaces. They will also have to comply with each store's payment and commission terms.

Some industry groups have welcomed the move, saying it breaks Google's tight grip on Android app distribution. Others caution that the program could fragment the user experience if multiple storefronts compete for attention.

Both Google and Epic have declined to comment further on the settlement terms. The rollout on July 22 will be closely watched by regulators in India and Europe, where similar antitrust cases are pending.

What happens next: The first third-party stores are expected to appear on Google Play within days of the July 22 launch. Developers and users alike will see whether the program delivers the competition Epic fought for.