Judge Orders Google to Ease Rival App Store Access on Android

A San Francisco judge has ordered Google to improve its compliance with a 2024 injunction that requires the tech giant to make it easier for users to install rival app stores on Android devices.

The hearing, which took place on August 13, was part of ongoing litigation between Epic Games and Google. In 2022, a jury found that Google held an illegal monopoly over Android apps, and in October 2024, the court ordered Google to carry rival Android app stores inside its Play store and grant them full access to its app catalogue.

Google started complying with this order on July 22, but during the hearing, judge Donato expressed concerns that users were still having trouble finding third-party stores. Specifically, he pointed out that a search for 'store for apps' returned physical stores like Walmart, rather than digital ones.

'That is not acceptable, that has to be fixed,' Judge Donato said. 'I want every possible variation that's even only 70 percent properly phrased.'

Google agreed to make changes to its search experience, including removing warnings and making it easier for users to install third-party stores.