Google will begin distributing third-party app stores through Google Play on July 22 after withdrawing its modified settlement with Epic Games. The move follows a court order from the companies' antitrust case and restores the original remedies imposed by Judge James Donato.
The withdrawal came this week as the companies prepared to argue their case in court on July 16. Google and Epic had reached a settlement in November 2025 that removed provisions for placing rival stores directly in Google Play. An expert analysis submitted to the court questioned whether the modified plan would help competitors overcome network effects in time.
Google spokesperson Dan Jackson said the companies chose to withdraw the motion to avoid prolonging uncertainty. The company will instead comply fully with the original injunction while advancing its global Registered App Stores program and other policy changes from the settlement.
Under the court order third-party stores will gain access to the full Google Play catalog by default after paying a $5,000 annual fee for security review. Stores must target only US users block malware and meet other compliance standards or risk removal from the program.
