The first rival Android app store just arrived in the US Play Store

Dominic Preston

August 10, 2026

Screenshot of Aptoide Games as seen on the Play Store website

Google appears to have prepared a dedicated section for third-party app stores within Google Play, and Aptoide is just the first. | Screenshot: Google Play Store

Following the latest twist in Google’s legal battles with Epic, US Android users are now able to open Google’s Play Store and download a third-party digital store with its own selection of apps. Aptoide, a store specializing in mobile games, is the first to become available.

Third-party app stores have always been available on Android, which is a more open platform than iOS in that respect. However, until now they’ve only been available if pre-installed on a device – as with the Amazon Appstore on Fire tablets or Samsung’s Galaxy Store – or installed via sideloading. Listing rival storefronts within the Play Store makes them much easier for …

Read the full story at The Verge.

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