Google to Let U.S. Android Users Install Third-Party App Stores via Play in 2026

Google will allow U.S. Android users to download third-party app stores directly through Google Play starting July 22, 2026, a structural concession following the conclusion of its five-year antitrust lawsuit with Epic Games. Under a 2024 court order that the company reinstated after withdrawing a joint proposal to modify the judgment, competing marketplaces can access Google Play’s catalog of apps and games unless developers opt out, while downloads still process through Google Play and incur its standard service fees. To participate, third-party stores must enroll in the new Play Catalog Access Program, which requires a $5,000 upfront fee, a $5,000 annual maintenance fee, and compliance with strict security and policy checks limited to U.S. distribution. This change marks a significant shift in Android’s ecosystem by eliminating the need for users to sideload alternative storefronts in the U.S., potentially increasing competition and impacting Google’s dominant position in app distribution revenue.