Google Play and third-party app stores can now connect; Google announces withdrawal of its appeal against ruling in lawsuit with Epic Games.
Google has announced that third-party app stores will now be able to connect to the app catalog of Google Play, the app store for Android. This measure will be effective from July 22, 2026, and when accessed from a third-party app store, apps will be downloaded under the same conditions as when accessed via Google Play, and for paid apps, the price will also be the same as when accessed via Google Play.
Starting July 22, 2026, listings for apps and games from US Google Play developers will be available on US third-party Android app stores - Play Console Help
Third-party app stores coming to Google Play next week as Epic settlement withdrawn - Ars Technica
Google Will Allow Third-Party App Stores On Android Next Week
https://www.engadget.com/2215452/google-allow-third-party-app-stores-android-july-22/
Android will get third-party app stores, but Canadians have to wait
https://mobilesyrup.com/2026/07/15/google-android-third-party-app-stores/
This initiative is a result of the lawsuit between Google and Epic Games regarding the app store. In the five-year lawsuit, which began in 2020, Google was found to have engaged in 'anti-competitive practices,' and Epic Games won in October 2025. Google received a preliminary injunction to lower app store fees and add third-party app stores to Google Play.
However, Google objected to the decision and presented Epic Games with a revised settlement proposal. Epic Games agreed to this settlement.
Epic Games and Google settle lawsuit over app store; Google agrees to lower standard fees to 20% or 9% depending on the type of transaction - GIGAZINE
The key point of the settlement is that while the ruling stipulated that 'apps should be downloadable directly from third-party app stores,' Google created a system called the 'Registered App Store,' ultimately shifting app downloads to sideloading via Google Play.
Judge James Donato, who handed down the ruling, was skeptical of the settlement proposal, and Google and Epic Games were scheduled to appear in court to discuss approving the settlement, but Google announced it was withdrawing its objection before that could happen.
According to Dan Jackson, a Google spokesperson, the withdrawal of the objection avoids prolonging a situation that creates uncertainty in the ecosystem. 'This will allow us to focus on the transformation of our global business model that we announced recently, enabling us to expand app store options, lower prices, and provide more opportunities for developers and users,' he said.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney responded to Google's announcement by saying, 'Third-party stores are coming to Google Play! Epic Games Store already has third-party stores like Itch and GOG Galaxy available. When are the others going to open their hearts and stop interfering with the competition?'
Third-party stores are coming to the Google Play Store! Epic Games Store already hosts third-party stores including Itch and GOG Galaxy.
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) July 15, 2026
When will the other guys finally open up and stop blocking and taxing competition? https://t.co/2zEBt6lHkh
By default, information about apps registered on Google Play is provided to third-party app stores, but you can switch between the following three options at any time from the Google Play Console.
- Make all app listings public on all third-party app stores.
- Manage all third-party app stores individually.
- Do not publish listing information for any of your apps on any third-party app stores.
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