Google to distribute third-party app stores in Play Store starting July 22

A transformative era for mobile software distribution in the United States begins on Wednesday, 22 July 2026. Following the joint decision by Google and Epic Games to withdraw their proposed settlement to modify a federal court injunction, Google has confirmed it will begin distributing third-party app stores directly within the Google Play Store. This shift mandates that Google provide its entire application catalog to competing storefronts, marking a decisive turn in a legal conflict that dates back to August 2020.

The conflict originated when Epic Games introduced a direct purchase option within the mobile version of Fortnite to bypass platform commissions. Following the game's removal from Google Play, Epic initiated antitrust litigation. In December 2023, a federal jury found that Google had illegally monopolized Android app distribution and in-app billing. With the withdrawal of the settlement proposal, Google is now compelled to adhere to the requirements of the original 2024 injunction.

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Compliance Requirements and Infrastructure

To participate in this new framework, storefronts must utilize Google’s Play Catalog Access Program. According to Google, operators must meet several administrative and security criteria to obtain access to the Play Store catalog. These requirements include:

• Geographic Restriction: Third-party stores are permitted to distribute apps from the Play catalog exclusively to users within the United States.
• Financial Commitment: Operators must pay an annual fee of $5,000 to cover security and policy review processes.
• Security Standards: Stores must maintain clear, non-discriminatory trust and safety policies. A specific security benchmark requires that no more than 1 percent of installation attempts involve malware or unwanted software.
• Universal Access: Participating storefronts must remain open to all eligible third-party developers, preventing operators from creating exclusive or restricted lists.

Google has clarified that while it will host these third-party portals, the actual download of applications will still be processed through Google's infrastructure. Consequently, the company’s established service fees remain in effect for these transactions. Google spokesperson Dan Jackson stated that the decision to withdraw the motion to modify the injunction was made to avoid prolonging a process that creates uncertainty for the ecosystem.

"We’ve agreed with Epic to withdraw our motion to modify the US Court’s injunction rather than prolonging this process which creates uncertainty for the ecosystem. This allows us to focus on executing our recently announced global business model evolution to deliver greater app store choice, lower prices, and more opportunities for developers and users. We remain committed to maintaining Android’s industry-leading security and fostering a competitive ecosystem where every app store and developer has the freedom to compete. In parallel, we continue to comply with the US Court’s injunction."

Dan Jackson, spokesperson, via Google

Industry Implications

For US-based developers, the implications are immediate. Starting 22 July 2026, app and game listings will be shared with enrolled third-party stores by default. Developers retain the right to opt out of this distribution model by adjusting their settings. While these mandates apply specifically to mobile and tablet form factors in the US, Google is simultaneously moving forward with its separate "Registered App Stores" program for global markets.

As the three-year compliance window for the U.S. Injunction proceeds through 1 November 2027, observers will be watching to see if third-party stores can successfully translate this mandated access into sustained user adoption and competitive pressure against the established Google Play Store model.