Google and Epic Games end US antitrust battle, clearing path for third-party Android stores
The settlement concludes a legal dispute dating back to October 2024, establishing a new framework for US app distribution while maintaining strict security and policy requirements for participating platforms.
Epic Games and Google have jointly withdrawn their motion to modify a US court injunction, effectively agreeing to allow rival third-party app stores within the Google Play ecosystem. The companies confirmed that Google will begin carrying these alternative stores starting Wednesday, 22 July 2026, marking a significant shift in how Android applications are distributed in the United States.
Under the terms of the arrangement, Google will automatically provide US app developers' listings to third-party platforms unless they explicitly opt out. To access the Google Play catalog, third-party stores must pay an annual fee of $5,000 for security and policy reviews. This financial requirement is part of a broader set of strict trust and safety policies designed to maintain platform integrity.
The decision brings an end to a legal battle that began in October 2024, when US District Judge James Donato ruled that forcing Google to share its app catalog was necessary to remedy an illegal monopoly. Google had previously sought to replace the court’s original injunction with a "Registered App Stores" model, which would have required users to sideload applications. Judge Donato expressed skepticism regarding this alternative, leading to the current joint withdrawal of the modification motion.
Google has launched a dedicated page for its Play Catalog Access Program, allowing third-party app stores to enroll in the new system. The company has outlined specific operational requirements for participants, including a prohibition on distributing apps outside the US, a mandate to remain open to all eligible third-party developers, and a requirement that malware rates do not exceed 1 percent of install attempts.
This agreement establishes a two-track system for Android globally. While the United States will see "stores-within-a-store" integration within Google Play, the rest of the world will continue to rely on the "Registered App Stores" model for sideloaded applications. The settlement follows previous agreements between Epic and Google to reduce fees and open the Play Store to outside payments on a global scale.
