Google to Open Google Play to Third‑Party Android App Stores in the US

Google and Epic Games have jointly withdrawn their settlement proposal, leaving the permanent court injunction from October 2024 in place. Under that order, Google must allow rival Android app stores to operate within Google Play for U.S. users. The change is scheduled to begin on July 22 2026. Participating stores will pay a $5,000 annual access fee for security and policy reviews, must operate only in the United States, accept all eligible developers, enforce non‑discriminatory trust‑and‑safety policies, and keep malware below 1 % of install attempts. Downloads will still be processed through Google Play, and Google will continue to collect its standard service fee. The move follows Judge James Donato’s injunction that barred Google from blocking third‑party distribution platforms, and it marks a major shift in Android’s app‑distribution model while the company proceeds with a separate “Registered App Stores” program for markets outside the U.S.