Google will permit third-party app stores within the U.S. Google Play Store starting July 22. This move follows the withdrawal of a joint motion by Google and Epic Games to modify a court-ordered injunction.
The development concludes the Epic v. Google antitrust lawsuit. A jury previously ruled that Google maintained an illegal monopoly over Android app distribution.
Under the injunction, users can download rival marketplaces directly from Google Play. Google must also provide its app catalog to these competitors, though individual developers may opt out.