Aptoide Becomes First Rival App Store to Return to Google Play in US
Aptoide returns to Google Play in the US after a decade, as Epic's court victory forces Google to open Android distribution to rival app stores and catalogs.
Summary
Aptoide became the first rival Android app store to return to Google Play in the US on Monday, August 10, 2026, after more than a decade. US users can now install the Portugal based distributor’s games store directly from Google Play instead of sideloading it. Aptoide, whose largest market is the US, offers more than 40,000 Android apps and has roughly 25 million monthly active users.
The change follows US District Judge James Donato’s ruling in Epic Games’ antitrust case, requiring Google to permit third party app installations outside Google Play. On June 22, 2026, Google began letting rival stores access its infrastructure and app catalog through the Play Catalog Access Program while remaining independent. Epic sued Google in 2020 over alleged anticompetitive Android practices, won a jury verdict in 2023, and prevailed after Google appealed. Earlier in 2026, Google said it would drop Play Store commissions and simplify installation of alternative Android stores.
Positives
- Aptoide is the first rival Android store to return to Google Play in the US after more than a decade.
- US Android users can install Aptoide directly from Google Play instead of sideloading it.
- The Play Catalog Access Program gives independent stores access to Google Play infrastructure and its app catalog.
- Aptoide brings more than 40,000 Android apps to a service with roughly 25 million monthly active users.
- Google said it would drop Play Store commissions and simplify installation of alternative Android stores.
Risks & concerns
- Aptoide spent more than a decade outside Google Play despite the US being its largest market.
- Mandatory sideloading previously limited Aptoide’s reach among US Android users.
- Google resisted the Epic Games verdict through an unsuccessful appeal before implementing the court ordered changes.
