You can download Aptoide Games now in the United States.
Today we’re seeing a development that Google has fought long and hard against: a rival Android app store is officially available on Google Play.
Aptoide has announced that Aptoide Games is now available for download via Google Play for Android users in the United States. The company specializes in mobile games, but was previously only available via pre-installs or sideloading.
Google has fought to be the only simple app store option for Android users. “More than a decade ago, Android users lost the ability to discover alternative app stores through Google Play,” Paulo Trezentos, CEO and co-founder of Aptoide, said in the announcement. “Today that’s changing. Users have more choices, developers benefit from additional distribution opportunities, and Android becomes a more open and competitive ecosystem.”
After nearly half a decade of fighting between Google and Epic Games, U.S. District Judge James Donato ordered Google to open the Play Store to competitors in 2024. The latter party sued Google and Apple in 2020 for removing Fortnite from their app stores. Google had blocked OnePlus and LG from offering the game in a way that bypassed the Google Play Store.
Epic and Google have since reached a deal that includes “more billing options, a program for registered app stores, as well as reduced fees and new programs for developers,” according to a Google blog post. This includes allowing third-party app stores on Google Play.
These third-party app stores have only been available since July 22. Aptoide may be the first company to take advantage of the rule change, but it certainly won’t be the last.
