Google will allow third-party app stores to be distributed on Google Play starting July 22 in the US.

Google will begin to allow third party app store distribution through Google Play from next Wednesday July 22 in the United States, although it will maintain the Registered App Store program for the rest of the regions.

The technology giant has reported that withdraws its motion with Epic Games to modify the court order of the United States Court and, with this, it will comply with the initial ruling, allowing the download of third-party application stores from Google Play under the same conditions as any download of another application in the US.

At the same time, will continue with its global business model for the reduction of commissions and opening of payment methods, in addition to its Registered App Stores program, in the rest of the regions, as shared in a statement to which The Verge has had access.

Google and Epic Games have faced litigation since 2020, when the latter sued Google for monopolistic practices in your app storewhich ended the support of the American jury that ruled that the Play Store and its billing service exercise a monopoly.

As a result, the judge in charge of the case, James Donato, determined in a court order issued in October 2024 a series of measures that Google should follow to stabilize the situation and promote competition, which included opening Android and Play Store to third-party stores, as well as providing developers with alternative billing systems and payment methods.

Following Google’s appeal of this order and its subsequent dismissal, both companies filed a motion in November of last year. joint proposal to make changes to the Android ecosystem and the Play Store digital storein order to allow developers to reduce fees and boost competition.

Already in March of this year, Google introduced some of these changes to the Play Store without waiting for judicial approval of the aforementioned agreement. Specifically, he launched the reduction in commissions for developersthe openness to alternative payment methods and a program to facilitate the installation of third-party app stores on Android, called Registered ‘App’ Stores.

THIRD-PARTY APP STORES ALLOWED IN US PLAY STORE

Now, Google has taken a turn in its plans and, as of next wednesdayit will start allow distributing third party app stores directly from your application catalog Play Store in the United States.

This decision occurred before the appearance that Google and Epic Games had planned before the court, scheduled for this Thursday, July 16, where both parties had to argue the reasons for their joint proposal. However, instead of prolonging this process that “generates uncertainty for the ecosystem”, both companies have chosen for withdrawing their joint motion to modify the US Court’s injunction.

In this way, Google has confirmed that will continue to comply with the Court’s permanent injunction and that it is willing to “implement corrective measures”, including the distribution of third-party application stores in the Play Store.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF APP STORES

Along with this statement, Google has also begun to share these news on its support page, where it has clarified that, starting July 22, third-party Android application stores in the US will be able to access the Google Play Store application catalog.

Thus, he has detailed that the download of these application stores “will be done through Google Play in the same conditions as any other download made directly through the Google Play Store”.

In order to distribute a third-party app store on the Google Play Store, developers will need enroll in the Program of Access to the Game Catalog and comply with all requirementswhich include issues such as They cannot distribute applications outside the United States and they must be open to all eligible third-party developers.

Additionally, these stores must have “clear and non-discriminatory” trust and security policies, while they must Proactively prevent malware distribution and potentially harmful applications, including those related to illegal or fraudulent activities.

Regarding the commissionsthe company has indicated that application stores will have to pay a $5,000 initial service fee (4,377 euros at the exchange rate), to carry out the necessary security and policy reviews during onboarding to Play Store.

However, Google has also warned that third-party Android application stores in the US. “are not subject to Google Play content nor to other policiesand may have their own content and other policies.”

MAINTAINS THE PROGRAM ‘APPS’ STORES REGISTERED GLOBALLY

Despite this change in its forecasts for the United States, Google will maintain the Registered App Stores program for the rest of the regions, designed to provide “a more streamlined installation flow” for Android app stores that meet the company’s “quality and security standards.”

As you explained, leaving behind the motion to modify the court order allows them to focus on “execute the evolution of the global business model” that they have recently announced – in reference to the changes announced in March -, to “offer a “A greater variety of app stores, lower prices and more opportunities for developers and users.”

With this, application stores that wish to participate in the Registered App Stores program must register and, with this, they will obtain a more simplified installation process on the smartphone. However, those who prefer to stay out of it can continue installing manually through the ‘sideloading’ process.

“We remain committed to maintain Android’s industry-leading security and foster a competitive ecosystem where every app store and developer has the freedom to compete. At the same time, we continue to comply with the judicial order of the US Court,” Google concluded in its statement.

Sponsored content