Android users may soon find it significantly easier to discover and download alternative app marketplaces on their smartphones. In a recent San Francisco court session, US District Judge James Donato ordered Google to remove extra technical hurdles that prevent rival app stores from operating smoothly on Android devices.
The ruling comes as part of an ongoing legal battle between Google and Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite. Nearly three years ago, a jury found that Google maintained an illegal monopoly over Android app distribution. To resolve the issue, Judge Donato previously ordered Google to allow competing app stores inside the official Google Play Store and share its full app catalog with them. However, Epic returned to court to demonstrate that Google was still creating "anticompetitive friction" for users attempting to install alternative options.
During a live courtroom demonstration, Epic’s legal team highlighted several obstacles in Google's current interface. When lawyers searched for general phrases like "store for apps," the Play Store failed to show any third-party app stores, instead returning search results for physical retail chains such as Walmart. Additionally, when searching specifically for competing marketplaces like Aptoide, users were redirected to an intermediate warning banner rather than standard app listings. Users were also required to tap a "view" button before receiving an option to install, unlike standard apps.
Judge Donato criticized these extra steps, describing them as unnecessary barriers designed to discourage consumers. He rejected Google's argument that special warning screens were necessary for security, stating that standard safety warnings on store pages were sufficient. The judge instructed Google to replace the "view" button directly with an "install" button, surface rival stores in relevant search queries, and eliminate intermediate confirmation screens. Google was given one week to implement the required changes.