SAN FRANCISCO — US District Judge James Donato ordered Google to make it easier to install rival app stores on Android. The ruling requires the technology company to remove interface barriers that create friction for users seeking alternative application marketplaces.

Donato ordered Google to remove the intermediate banner or screen that asks users if they are looking for an app store when searching for terms like "app store." He also ordered Google to replace the "view" button with an "install button for third-party app stores in the Play Store. Additionally, he ordered Google to ensure third-party app stores appear in search results for terms such as store for apps."

The judge mandated that Google implement the required interface changes within one week of the hearing. Have it done by a week from today. If there’s some problem with that, let me know," Donato said during the proceedings. Yonatan Even is a lawyer representing Epic Games in the case."

Aptoide is the first third-party app store available for download directly within the Google Play Store in the US. Aptoide offers more than 40,000 Android applications. The platform has approximately 25 million monthly active users.

Epic Games filed its initial antitrust lawsuit against Google in 2020. A jury unanimously found that Google held an illegal monopoly over Android apps in 2023. Google lost its appeal of the 2023 antitrust ruling. Google and Epic Games withdrew a proposed settlement agreement earlier in 2026 after Donato expressed skepticism about its terms.

Timeline

Epic Games filed its initial antitrust lawsuit against Google in 2020. A jury unanimously found that Google held an illegal monopoly over Android apps in 2023. Google began allowing third-party app stores to access the Google Play app catalog through the Play Catalog Access Program on June 22, 2026.

Earlier coverage on 2026-07-20 reported: Judge pauses Paramount’s attempt to buy Warner Bros. Discovery. Earlier coverage on 2026-07-24 reported: Paramount agrees to postpone merger until after antitrust trial. On August 13, 2026, Judge Donato stated, "That is not acceptable, that has to be fixed. I want every possible variation that’s even only 70 percent properly phrased." US District Judge James Donato ordered Google to make it easier to install rival app stores on Android on August 13, 2026. Judge Donato also said on August 13, 2026, "Take off the ‘are you looking for’ screen, there’s no purpose for that. There’s a friction there that has no purpose whatsoever."

What's New

Aptoide offers more than 40,000 Android applications. Aptoide provides access to a catalog of 1.9 million apps and 295,000 games through the Play Catalog Access Program. Google began allowing third-party app stores to access the Google Play app catalog through the Play Catalog Access Program on June 22, 2026.

Epic Games filed its initial antitrust lawsuit against Google in 2020. Aptoide has approximately 25 million monthly active users. Google and Epic Games withdrew a proposed settlement agreement earlier in 2026 after Judge Donato expressed skepticism about its terms. Earlier coverage on 2026-07-24 reported: Paramount agrees to postpone merger until after antitrust trial. Earlier coverage on 2026-07-20 reported: Judge pauses Paramount’s attempt to buy Warner Bros. Discovery.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on details regarding the access catalog play program. Statement by Aptoide CEO Paulo Trezentos states that Aptoide provides access to a catalog of 1.9 million apps and 295,000 games through the Play Catalog Access Program. Google Play Catalog Access Program documentation states that Google began allowing third-party app stores to access the Google Play app catalog through the Play Catalog Access Program on June 22, 2026.

Why It Matters

The ruling addresses the discovery process for applications on Android, which is reported to have 3.9 billion users globally. By removing intermediate screens and changing button labels from "view" to "install," the court aims to reduce friction for users attempting to download rival app stores. This decision follows a 2023 jury verdict that found Google held an illegal monopoly over Android apps.

The order mandates specific interface changes within a one-week deadline, affecting how third-party stores like Aptoide appear in search results. Aptoide, which has approximately 25 million monthly active users, is the first third-party store available for direct download within the Play Store in the US. The implementation of these changes will determine the visibility and ease of installation for competing platforms on the world's most widely used mobile operating system.