Google Play to host third-party app stores July 22

Google and Epic Games have jointly withdrawn their proposed settlement, a move that will force Google to begin hosting rival app stores directly within its U.S. Google Play Store starting July 22. The reversal means Google must now comply with the original, more stringent terms of a 2024 court injunction stemming from its antitrust legal battle with Epic.

The companies had filed a modified settlement in November 2025, which would have allowed Google to avoid hosting competing stores by instead offering developers greater payment flexibility and establishing a "Registered App Stores" program for sideloading. That settlement was negotiated alongside an $800 million business partnership between the two firms. By withdrawing their motion, the parties have abandoned that alternative path. A court hearing on the modified settlement, which had been scheduled for July 16, is now expected to be unnecessary.

Google spokesperson Dan Jackson stated that the companies agreed to withdraw the motion to avoid prolonging a process that creates uncertainty for the ecosystem. He said the decision allows Google to focus on executing its global business model evolution to deliver greater choice and...