Third-Party App download Play Stores Go Live — Epic Deal Withdrawn
A major shift is underway in the Android ecosystem. Google and Epic Games have jointly withdrawn their proposed settlement, meaning Google must now comply with the court order issued in October 2024. The direct result is that users will be able to download third-party app stores directly; sideloading will no longer be necessary, and users will be able to download any third-party app.
What Exactly Happened
The legal battle between Google and Epic has been ongoing for several years; in 2023, a jury ruled in Epic’s favor, finding that Google held an illegal monopoly over Android app distribution. Subsequently, in October 2024, Judge James Donato issued a permanent injunction directing Google to allow competing Android app stores and share its app catalog with them.
Both companies had proposed an agreement to modify the order, aiming to replace it with a more flexible ‘Play Media Experience Program.’ However, that proposal has now been withdrawn, as the court appeared unwilling to approve the change. An economics professor from MIT had also stated in her analysis that the agreement was unlikely to help competing app stores timely overcome the long-standing network effect advantages enjoyed by Google Play.
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What is the Play Catalog Access Program
Google has named this new program the play Catalog Access program.here what it involves
- US app and game listing will automatically become available to third party stores unless developer explicitly opt out.
- Third party app stores must pay Google a $5,000 onboarding fee plus $5,000 annually.
- These stores can only target US users.
- Malware rates must stay below 1% of install attempts .
- Downloads will still be completed through Google play ,and google ‘s service fees will still apply.
in short the side loading hassle is gone — a third party app store can now be downloaded directly from the play store .just like installing any regular app.
Google’s Official Statement
Google spokesperson Dan Jackson told “The Verge” that the company has decided to withdraw its motion to stay the injunction, rather than prolonging a process that was creating uncertainty within the ecosystem. He stated that Google will now focus on implementing its recently announced global business model changes, which aim to create greater opportunities for the app store. Google also clarified that there would be no compromise on Android’s security standards.