Aptoide sues Google
What happened
Rival app store Aptoide has sued Google in the U.S., alleging Google monopolises Android app distribution and billing and uses technical and contractual restrictions to shut out competitors. The complaint says Google leverages security prompts and install frictions to disadvantage alternative stores, adding to previous legal pressure on Google’s app‑store policies. (reuters.com) (benzinga.com)
Why it matters
Aptoide sued Google in San Francisco on April 14, accusing it of illegally dominating how Android apps are distributed and how in-app payments are processed. (reuters.com) The complaint says Google uses both contracts and software design to keep rival app stores from reaching users at scale on Android phones. Aptoide asked the court for an injunction and treble damages under United States antitrust law. (reuters.com) Aptoide is a Lisbon-based company focused on mobile games, and it calls itself the world’s third-largest Android app store. Reuters reported that Aptoide said its catalog had about 436,000 apps and more than 200 million annual users in 2024. (reuters.com) On Android, users can install apps outside Google Play, a practice often called sideloading. Aptoide says Google turned that theoretical openness into a maze of warnings, prompts and extra steps that push users back to Google Play. (pocketgamer.biz) The lawsuit also says Google steers developers toward Google Play and other “must-have” Google services, making it harder for alternative stores to secure top apps. Aptoide says that shut it out of exclusive content and limited its ability to pressure Google on price and policy. (reuters.com) Google did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment on April 14. The case adds another United States challenge to Google’s Play Store rules after years of litigation over Android app distribution and billing. (reuters.com) In December 2023, a federal jury in Epic Games’ case found that Google had unlawfully maintained monopoly power in Android app distribution and Android in-app billing services. In July 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed that verdict and the permanent injunction entered by the trial court. (cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov) Reuters also reported that Google agreed in November 2025 to make Android and app store changes to settle that five-year Epic fight. Aptoide’s suit suggests those changes did not end the legal pressure on Google’s app-store business in the United States. (reuters.com) Aptoide has been fighting Google in Europe for years as well: Reuters said it filed a complaint with European Union antitrust authorities in 2014. The new case now asks a United States court to decide whether Android’s alternative-store option works in practice or mostly on paper. (reuters.com)
Key numbers
- (reuters.com) (benzinga.com) Aptoide sued Google in San Francisco on April 14, accusing it of illegally dominating how Android apps are distributed and how in-app payments are processed.
- Reuters reported that Aptoide said its catalog had about 436,000 apps and more than 200 million annual users in 2024.
- (reuters.com) Google did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment on April 14.
- (reuters.com) In December 2023, a federal jury in Epic Games’ case found that Google had unlawfully maintained monopoly power in Android app distribution and Android in-app billing services.
Quick answers
What happened in Aptoide sues Google?
Rival app store Aptoide has sued Google in the U.S., alleging Google monopolises Android app distribution and billing and uses technical and contractual restrictions to shut out competitors. The complaint says Google leverages security prompts and install frictions to disadvantage alternative stores, adding to previous legal pressure on Google’s app‑store policies. (reuters.com) (benzinga.com)
Why does Aptoide sues Google matter?
Aptoide sued Google in San Francisco on April 14, accusing it of illegally dominating how Android apps are distributed and how in-app payments are processed. (reuters.com) The complaint says Google uses both contracts and software design to keep rival app stores from reaching users at scale on Android phones. Aptoide asked the court for an injunction and treble damages under United States antitrust law. (reuters.com) Aptoide is a Lisbon-based company focused on mobile games, and it calls itself the world’s third-largest Android app store. Reuters reported that Aptoide said its catalog had about 436,000 apps and more than 200 million annual users in 2024. (reuters.com) On Android, users can install apps outside Google Play, a practice often called sideloading. Aptoide says Google turned that theoretical openness into a maze of warnings, prompts and extra steps that push users back to Google Play. (pocketgamer.biz) The lawsuit also says Google steers developers toward Google Play and other “must-have” Google services, making it harder for alternative stores to secure top apps. Aptoide says that shut it out of exclusive content and limited its ability to pressure Google on price and policy. (reuters.com) Google did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment on April 14. The case adds another United States challenge to Google’s Play Store rules after years of litigation over Android app distribution and billing. (reuters.com) In December 2023, a federal jury in Epic Games’ case found that Google had unlawfully maintained monopoly power in Android app distribution and Android in-app billing services. In July 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed that verdict and the permanent injunction entered by the trial court. (cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov) Reuters also reported that Google agreed in November 2025 to make Android and app store changes to settle that five-year Epic fight. Aptoide’s suit suggests those changes did not end the legal pressure on Google’s app-store business in the United States. (reuters.com) Aptoide has been fighting Google in Europe for years as well: Reuters said it filed a complaint with European Union antitrust authorities in 2014. The new case now asks a United States court to decide whether Android’s alternative-store option works in practice or mostly on paper. (reuters.com)
