Google Opens Android to External Stores but Imposes New Conditions

Published on January 06, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Android logo next to the Google Play Store logo and an arrow pointing to other app stores with a question mark, on a digital code background.

Google Opens Android to External Stores but Imposes New Conditions

After a long litigation with Epic Games and other companies, a court order forces Google to allow third-party app stores to operate on its Android system. The tech company complies with the ruling, but the implementation involves a new scheme of fees and requirements that raises skepticism about whether it truly fosters competition. 🧐

A Commission Model That Discourages Switching

Google reduces its standard commission for transactions, but introduces an additional fee for processing the initial installation of apps from external sources. For many developers, the total cost of using an alternative store may equal or exceed that of staying solely in the Play Store. This economic structure appears designed to maintain control of the ecosystem.

Practical Barriers for Developers and Users:
  • The combined cost of the new fees may not offer real savings.
  • Google requires displaying persistent security warnings when installing apps from other stores.
  • These warnings may deter end users, protecting Google's market.
The door the judge opened has an electrified doorknob and a tax for touching it.

The Competition Goal Is in Doubt

Analysts point out that the new model limits the economic incentive for software creators to choose rival platforms. Alternative stores, like the one proposed by Epic Games, could see their ability to offer lower prices or better conditions diminished, effectively nullifying the spirit of the court order in practice.

Consequences for the Android Ecosystem:
  • It discourages system fragmentation, something Google has always wanted to avoid.
  • It also hinders genuine competition that could benefit users and developers.
  • Google's control over software distribution on Android remains firm.

An Opening with Very Strict Conditions

The measure, theoretically aimed at breaking an alleged monopoly, faces a reality where the new rules act as a barrier. The company complies with the letter of the law, but the implemented structure suggests that the battle for a truly open app market on Android is far from over. The result is a landscape where choice exists, but with a cost and complexity that may make it unattractive. ⚖️