Google adds Aptoide to Play Store after Epic ruling

Aptoide’s app store is now listed inside Google’s Play Store for the first time, after a judge forced Google to host rival app stores as part of its settlement in the Epic Games antitrust case.

The move follows Google’s loss to Epic in a 2023 federal jury trial, where Epic accused Google of illegally monopolizing the Android app market. Google had previously blocked other app stores from appearing in the Play Store, requiring users to sideload apps or download them from websites. The company agreed to comply with the judge’s order by allowing alternative app stores to be listed in Play, as long as they meet certain security and content guidelines. Aptoide, a Portugal-based app store with millions of users worldwide, was the first to take advantage of this change.

Google confirmed the listing in a statement, saying it is “complying with the court’s order while maintaining user safety and app quality.” The company emphasized that all listed stores must follow Play’s policies to prevent malware and fraud. Aptoide’s CEO, Paulo Trezentos, called the move “a significant step toward a more open Android ecosystem,” adding that users should now have more choice in how they find and install apps. Analysts note this could pressure Google to further loosen its control over Android app distribution, potentially benefiting smaller developers and alternative app platforms.

The change is still limited—Aptoide’s listing is only available in a few countries so far, and Google retains strict rules on what can be included. But if the experiment succeeds, expect more rival stores to appear in Play. The move reflects broader pressure on Google and Apple to allow third-party app stores under new EU regulations and ongoing U.S. antitrust scrutiny. For consumers, it could mean more competition, better prices, and fewer restrictions—but also new risks if poorly vetted apps slip through.