// THE VERGE — MOBILE & WEB
The first rival Android app store just arrived in the US Play Store
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Game store Aptoide is now available through Google’s own Android storefront in the US.
Game store Aptoide is now available through Google’s own Android storefront in the US.
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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 users to find and access.