The first third-party app store has appeared on Google Play in the U.S.
Android users in the U.S. can download Aptoide, a third-party app store specializing in mobile games, via Google Play. This is the first alternative digital store available directly through the Google Play Store, according to The Verge.
Third-party app stores have been available on Android before, but they were typically pre-installed on devices or had to be installed manually by users. For example, the Amazon Appstore is available on Fire tablets, and the Galaxy Store is available on Samsung devices. The appearance of such services on Google Play should make them easier to find and install.
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These changes are the result of Google’s legal dispute with Epic. In 2024, a court ruled that the Play Store must open access to third-party app stores. Google appealed this decision, which delayed its implementation. After losing the appeal, the company reached an agreement with Epic on a global settlement; however, Judge James Donato has repeatedly expressed skepticism about the companies’ joint proposal. Last month, they withdrew the proposal, paving the way for access to alternative app stores.
Aptoide is currently available via Google Play only in the U.S., although it can be manually installed on Android devices in other countries. The Verge notes that other app stores may appear in the Play Store in the future, including the Epic Store, as well as stores from Amazon, Samsung, and other smartphone manufacturers. This also paves the way for the Xbox mobile store, which Microsoft has been working on for quite some time.
