Google Opens Play Store to Rival App Stores by July 22 After Epic Antitrust Loss

2 articles · Updated · techbuzz.ai · Jul 15

July 22 is Google's deadline to let rival app stores into Google Play and permit third-party billing after it withdrew a final settlement attempt with Epic Games.
Judge James Donato's injunction takes effect next week, forcing Google to distribute competing stores through Play, share its Android app catalog with them unless developers opt out, and stop mandating Google's billing system.
The order also bars Google from paying device makers to preinstall Google Play exclusively, widening the opening for new Android storefronts.
Microsoft could be among the biggest beneficiaries, gaining a clearer path to launch an Xbox mobile game store carrying titles such as Fortnite and Call of Duty Mobile.
The changes cap a fight that began with Epic's 2020 rule-breaking challenge and ended in an October 2024 ruling that Google held an illegal monopoly in Android app distribution and in-app payments.

Sources

Left100%

techbuzz.ai2h ago

Google to Open Play Store to Rival App Stores, Third-Party Billing by July 22nd After Epic Games Lawsuit Loss

PCMag2h ago

Google Details Reduced Play Store Fees That Trim Its Take to 10% in Many Cases | PCMag

With Google's app store monopoly now broken, will you actually pay less for your favorite games?

Now that rival stores can exist inside Google Play, is Google's absolute control over Android truly over?

Google Play Store Overhaul 2026: How Epic v. Google and Antitrust Rulings Will Reshape Android App Distribution, Fees, and Competition

Overview

The upcoming transformation of the Google Play Store, set for July 2026, is the direct result of Epic Games’ landmark legal battle against Google. Epic challenged Google’s restrictive app distribution and payment policies, arguing they created an illegal monopoly that harmed developers and consumers. After a significant antitrust verdict and its affirmation by the US Court of Appeals, courts mandated structural changes to address Google’s anticompetitive practices. As a result, the Play Store will open up to third-party app stores, fundamentally changing how Android apps are distributed and giving both developers and users more choices and better opportunities.

...