Think the Play Store is big now? Wait until you see what's coming next
Starting next week, Google Play loosens its grip in the US.
Prepare for the change! | Image by PhoneArena
The place where you get your favorite Android apps could change dramatically. Yep, the Play Store is about to go through a "renovation" that could end up helping everyone.
The Epic Games vs Google saga unfolds
Users in the US may see a slightly different Play Store next week. | Image by PhoneArena
The saga begins when Epic Games filed a massive antitrust lawsuit against Google. In 2024, a strict court ruling emerged, forcing Google to host competitor stores, which the company fought tooth and nail.
Later, it was revealed that Google and Epic signed an $800 million partnership for six years. And now, in the latest development, the rivals withdrew the motion to modify the court ruling from 2024, leaving Google to comply with the initial decision. That is, the company must allow third-party stores right in its own house, the Play Store.
This is scheduled to begin as early as July 22, 2026, and will be limited to the US. Google has already launched a page for its Play Catalog access program for third-party app stores.
Later, it was revealed that Google and Epic signed an $800 million partnership for six years. And now, in the latest development, the rivals withdrew the motion to modify the court ruling from 2024, leaving Google to comply with the initial decision. That is, the company must allow third-party stores right in its own house, the Play Store.
This is scheduled to begin as early as July 22, 2026, and will be limited to the US. Google has already launched a page for its Play Catalog access program for third-party app stores.
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. We remain committed to maintaining Android’s industry-leading security and fostering a competitive ecosystem where every app store and developer has the freedom to compete. In parallel, we continue to comply with the US Court’s injunction.
Dan Jackson, Google spokesperson
Is the Google Play Store about to become better?
What now?
Why should we care about big companies and their legal battles? It's actually very simple.
Google now has to let rival app stores be distributed directly through the Google Play Store for several years and share its app catalog with them. Essentially, this creates a store-within-a-store model, which could make the Android app space a lot more competitive.
To use the Play Catalog, app stores will have to pay an annual fee of $5,000 and adhere to other requirements.
Google now has to let rival app stores be distributed directly through the Google Play Store for several years and share its app catalog with them. Essentially, this creates a store-within-a-store model, which could make the Android app space a lot more competitive.
To use the Play Catalog, app stores will have to pay an annual fee of $5,000 and adhere to other requirements.
A big win for users and developers
Google may reform the Play Store quite a bit in the coming years. | Image by PhoneArena
While the immediate implications of this model aren't 100% clear yet, it's very likely that Android users will now have more freedom and choice when downloading apps.
Instead of relying entirely on Google Play, Android phone owners can get easier access to alternative app stores. It remains to be seen how many stores actually join and how much the Android space changes from all of this.
Starting next week, the app space could look very different. While the App Store remains the proverbial walled garden, Google is about to make it easier for developers and qualifying third-party app stores to get more visibility.
On paper, this all looks promising, and I hope it plays out as well as many expect. At the end of the day, competition drives innovation, and this decision could become a gateway to major changes in how we discover and use apps.
Instead of relying entirely on Google Play, Android phone owners can get easier access to alternative app stores. It remains to be seen how many stores actually join and how much the Android space changes from all of this.
I hope this plays out great
On paper, this all looks promising, and I hope it plays out as well as many expect. At the end of the day, competition drives innovation, and this decision could become a gateway to major changes in how we discover and use apps.
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