Google is now accepting applications for its Registered App Stores program, a voluntary initiative for international markets following its legal defeat in the Epic Games antitrust case. While US users gain access to third-party stores directly within Google Play by court order, international users will rely on this new program launching later this year.
Program Benefits and Requirements
App stores that gain acceptance into the program will receive preferential treatment across the Android platform. Approved stores will let users install applications with just a single click, mirroring the user experience found in the official Play Store. Additionally, these participating stores gain permission to update applications silently in the background, a capability previously exclusive to Google’s own storefront.
According to a Google spokesperson, the company announced the Registered App Stores program in March to offer third-party app marketplaces a more streamlined path to users while preserving the safety and security of the Android ecosystem. Eligible app stores outside the US can now apply to register ahead of the simplified installation experience reaching users later this year.
Origins in the Epic Games Lawsuit
The Android Registered App Stores program started as a contingency plan for Google. Following its unsuccessful appeal of the verdict issued by Judge James Donato, Google faced various remedies, which included permitting third-party billing systems and sharing app catalogs with competing stores. The most significant change ordered by the court required Google to distribute rival app stores directly inside Google Play.
After the trial concluded, Google and Epic Games reconciled and attempted to reach a settlement that would grant Google greater oversight. The Registered App Stores initiative was designed to replace hosting competitor stores inside Google Play, as long as those marketplaces met specific trust and safety standards. Google originally planned to deploy the program domestically and internationally, but both companies withdrew the proposed settlement after the court indicated it would reject the agreement.
