Starting July 22, Google will allow third-party app stores to access its Play Store catalog on Android devices in the United States. The announcement follows a dedicated launch of the Play Catalog Access Program, which facilitates third-party app stores in offering apps and games to users.
Google notified developers that the app listings they submitted would be available to external Android app stores. However, downloads initiated from these third-party stores will still require Google Play for completion, and the company’s service fees will remain applicable for these transactions. This change is part of Google’s compliance with a court order stemming from its legal battle with Epic Games.
In November 2025, Google and Epic reached a settlement that involved modifying a court order imposed by US District Judge James Donato after a ruling against Google. Initially, a “Registered App Stores” program was announced in March, aimed at facilitating easier sideloading for registered stores. That plan was withdrawn on July 16, transitioning to the newly launched Play Catalog Access Program.
Dan Jackson, a Google spokesperson, told The Verge, “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.” He added that the focus will now be on executing a global business model evolution to provide better app store choices and pricing structures.
To participate in the Play Catalog Access Program, third-party stores are required to pay an upfront service fee of $5,000 for a security review during onboarding. Additionally, they must pay $5,000 annually to maintain access to the Play catalog. These stores must also adhere to a series of requirements, notably that their services must target only US users.
As part of its settlement with Epic Games, Google has opened the Play Store to external billing options and reduced its commission for app purchases from 30% to 10%. Developers can now provide alternative payment methods or link users to their own websites for transactions within their app or game listings.
