Google to integrate third-party app stores into Android Play Store

Google is set to change the Android ecosystem in the United States following a court order. Starting July 22, 2026, Google will be required to integrate third-party app stores directly into the Google Play Store and share its entire app catalog with these competitors. The first alternative store, Aptoide, which specializes in mobile games, has already launched in the US via the Play Store.

This mandate follows a legal decision that Google and Epic Games previously attempted to appeal. While US users will see these changes, the current system remains unchanged for users in other regions, such as Germany, where users must still rely on sideloading to install third-party stores. It remains unclear if Google will expand these features globally.

Separately, Google is developing a native app-locking feature for Android to enhance security. Discovered in early test versions, the feature would allow users to protect specific apps using a device PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition. This would hide app content from notifications, widgets, and recent app views. While Android 15 already introduces a ‘Private Space’ feature for sensitive applications, Google’s planned integrated app lock aims to provide a more direct security layer for individual apps.