Epic Games and Google don withdraw their joint attempt to modify the court order wey dey change how Android app stores work for United States. According to The Verge, this move mean say Google go begin carry rival app stores inside Google Play from July 22, 2026.
The two companies formally drop their proposed settlement wey for don replace Judge James Donato original permanent injunction with a sideloading-based “Registered App Store” model. Instead, Google go implement the court original remedy, wey dey allow third-party Android app stores to dey distributed through Google Play and give dem access to the Play catalogue.
Google spokesperson Dan Jackson talk say: “We’ve agreed with Epic to withdraw our motion to modify the US Court’s injunction rather than prolonging this process which creates uncertainty for the ecosystem. This allows us to focus on executing our recently announced global business model evolution to deliver greater app store choice, lower prices, and more opportunities for developers and users.”
Jackson add say Google remain committed to maintaining Android industry-leading security and fostering a competitive ecosystem where every app store and developer get freedom to compete. In parallel, Google continue to comply with the US Court injunction.
To support the rollout, Google don launch the Play Catalogue Access Program for third-party app stores. Participating stores go pay $5,000 annual fee for security and policy reviews, must distribute apps only within US, maintain transparent trust and safety policies, remain open to eligible third-party developers, and keep malware install attempts below 1%.
This move follow jury verdict wey find say Google hold illegal monopoly over Android app distribution. While the withdrawal remove uncertainty around implementation of the injunction, questions remain over whether Google fit still introduce fees for link-out payments, an issue wey the court independent economist Professor Nancy Rose highlight.
Google previously announce say its sideloaded Registered App Store programme go launch outside US with a future Android release, wey go create different approaches for US and international markets.
Stash co-founder Archie Stonehill take to LinkedIn to share say the withdrawal of Google proposed settlement mean the court original injunction remain in place, preserving wetin he describe as the “stronger remedy” for developers. Stonehill talk say rival app stores go now fit appear directly inside Google Play instead of relying on sideloading, while developers also retain the right to direct users to download apps through in-app links.
However, he note say one major issue remain unresolved: whether Google fit introduce fees on link-out transactions. He advise US developers say: “Keep your zero-fee link-outs for now, change nothing, your position just got stronger. But stay alert, because the fee fight may not be over. And definitely start exploring the options for alt store distribution.”
