Google Play Opens to Third-Party App Stores

Google Play will allow third-party app stores next week after a court settlement with Epic Games was withdrawn.

One continuously updated timeline instead of dozens of separate articles. New developments are appended as the story evolves.

1. AnnouncementJul 15, 2026, 04:55 PM

   Google Play to allow third-party app stores next week following Epic settlement withdrawal

   Google Play will allow third-party app stores next week after a court settlement with Epic Games was withdrawn.

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2. 4 weeks later
   RegulationAug 10, 2026, 03:44 PM

   Google begins hosting rival app stores in Play Store following court order in Epic antitrust case

   Google has begun allowing rival app stores inside its Play Store, starting with Aptoide, following a court order tied to the Epic Games antitrust case.

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