Google and Epic Agree to Allow Rival App Stores on Android
Google reached an agreement with Epic Games to allow competing app stores to operate within the Android ecosystem in the United States starting July 22, 2026. The deal follows antitrust rulings that found Google had illegally maintained its monopoly over Android app distribution.
Google agreed to allow competing app stores to operate on Android devices in the United States starting July 22, 2026, following a settlement with Epic Games tied to antitrust rulings.
The agreement means Android users will be able to download and use third-party app stores alongside the Google Play Store. Developers will have the option to distribute their apps through competing platforms without being required to use Google's payment system or pay its standard commission.
The deal follows a 2023 jury verdict that found Google had illegally maintained a monopoly over Android app distribution. Epic, the maker of Fortnite, brought the original lawsuit after Google removed Fortnite from the Play Store in 2020 over a payment dispute.
Google had appealed the ruling and negotiated the terms of the remedy over the following years. The July 22 implementation date marks the point at which the changes take effect for U.S. users.
The practical impact for most consumers may be limited at first. Few competing app stores currently have the scale or catalog to challenge Google Play directly. But the change opens the door for alternatives to grow, and some developers have said they plan to use competing platforms to avoid Google's fees.
Apple faces similar pressure in Europe, where the Digital Markets Act has required it to allow third-party app stores on iPhones. The U.S. situation for Apple remains separate and is still being litigated.
The Google-Epic agreement is seen as a significant shift in how Android app distribution works, even if the full effects will take time to play out.
