Google Ordered to Streamline Rival App Store Access for Android Users
A California federal judge has ordered Google to simplify the process for Android users to find rival app stores, citing 'anticompetitive friction' that discourages competition. The ruling is part of the court-ordered remedies in antitrust litigation won by Epic Games against Google.
The lawsuit, which was settled in August 2026, alleged that Google's app store policies stifled competition and innovation on its Android platform. As a result of the settlement, the judge ordered Google to streamline the steps for users to access rival app stores.
According to the court order, the current user process is 'anticompetitive friction' designed to discourage users from accessing alternative app stores. The judge has given Google until a specified date to implement these changes.