Under the terms, Google agrees to implement a system in the next version of Android that will give third-party app stores the ability to officially register as the source of apps. These “registered app stores” will be able to be installed from websites with one click and without the red flags that accompany traditional sideloading. Again, this will be supported worldwide, not just in the US as required by the previous order.
The petition filed in court does not provide details on how registered app stores will operate after installation. Given Epic's aversion to scary screens that appear when sideloading apps, installs managed by registered third-party stores could also be a breeze. The Play Store can install apps without forcing the user to remove a bunch of warnings, and can automatically update apps. We may see similar opportunities for third parties once Google adds promised support to the next version of Android.
This is the kind of “friction” that could have been avoided during the settlement.
Credit: Ryan Whitwam
It's important to note that Google is allowed to set “reasonable requirements” for certification of these app stores. Audits may occur and Google may charge fees for this process; however, fees cannot be based on income.
The changes detailed in the settlement are not as sweeping as Judge Donato's original order, but still mark a shift toward openness. Third-party app stores are gaining traction, developers are getting lower commissions, and Google won't drag out the process for years to come. In the joint motion, the parties argue that the agreement is not intended to overturn the jury's verdict or circumvent a previous court order. Rather, it seeks to reinforce the court's intent while eliminating potential delays in reshaping the app market.
Google and Epic are set to go to court Thursday to ask Judge Donato to approve the settlement, and Google could put the billing changes into practice by the end of this year. The app store changes will happen around June next year when we expect Android 17 to begin rolling out. However, Google's Android Canary and Beta versions could give a glimpse of the system earlier in 2026.
