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Google opens the floodgates to third-party app stores on Android
9to5Google • • technology
Key Points:
- Google is allowing third-party app stores on Android to list Play Store apps starting July 22, 2026, complying with a US court injunction from the Epic Games lawsuit.
- Third-party stores can display app names, icons, descriptions, screenshots, and videos, but downloads will be completed through Google Play with the same service fee applying.
- A $5,000 annual access fee will be charged to third-party stores for Play Store app listings to cover security and policy reviews, with strict requirements on trust, safety, and malware limits.
- This change is limited to the US market, with conditions that third-party stores must be open to all eligible developers, restrict distribution to the US, and maintain less than 1% malware in install attempts.
- Google has dropped its motion to modify the court injunction, focusing instead on evolving its business model to increase app store choice, lower prices, and promote competition while maintaining Android security.
