Aptoide becomes the first rival app store to return to Google Play in the US
Aptoide has brought its games store back to Google Play after more than a decade, as court-ordered changes open Android to competing app stores.
After over a decade on the sidelines, Portugal-based app distributor Aptoide has finally returned to Google Play in the United States. The decision comes after U.S. District Judge James Donato ruled in the Epic Games lawsuit, requiring Google to permit the installation of third-party apps from outside the Play Store. This landmark decision, part of a 2023 jury trial victory and subsequent appeal loss by Google, means U.S. users can now access a rival to Google's Android app store directly through Google Play.
Aptoide, one of the largest Android app marketplaces outside of Google Play, boasts more than 40,000 Android applications and roughly 25 million monthly active users. Previously, the store had to be manually sideloaded on Android devices, limiting its reach. However, the U.S. market was the largest for Aptoide, and the new accessibility from Google Play is expected to significantly expand its user base.
The Play Catalog Access Program, introduced by Google on June 22, 2026, allows third-party app stores to tap into Google Play's app catalog while maintaining their independent status. This development is a significant step toward opening the app market to greater competition, as it enables competitors to access Google Play infrastructure, including its extensive catalog of apps, without being confined to the Play Store itself.
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