Google Announces Play Catalog Access Program for Third-Party App Stores on Android Devices

Google announced the Play Catalog Access program for third-party Android app stores in the US, starting July 22.

Participating stores must meet Google's security, privacy, and marketplace requirements and pay an annual $5,000 review fee.

Apps from Google Play will be discoverable through third-party stores, but downloads will still go through Google Play.

The program follows a US court order requiring Google to allow third-party app distribution.