Google is set to make a major change to the Android ecosystem by allowing third-party app stores to be distributed through the Google Play Store from July 22. The move follows a long-running legal battle with Epic Games and marks one of the biggest changes to how Android users can access apps.
Under the new policy, developers of alternative app stores will be able to list their marketplaces directly on Google Play, making it easier for users to discover and install them. Until now, Android users had to download many third-party app stores separately through a process known as sideloading, which often involved multiple steps and security warnings.
The change comes after a US court ruled that Google had maintained an illegal monopoly over Android app distribution and billing. The company has decided not to seek an emergency pause on the court’s order, allowing the changes to take effect while it continues its legal appeal.
Google said it still disagrees with the ruling and believes the decision could introduce new security and privacy risks for users. The company has argued that opening Google Play to rival app stores may make it harder to protect users from malicious software and fraudulent apps.
Epic Games, which filed the lawsuit against Google in 2020, welcomed the move, calling it a major victory for developers and consumers. The company said the decision will encourage greater competition, provide users with more choices and reduce barriers for developers looking to distribute apps outside Google’s own marketplace.
