Abstract:
Google recently issued a notice announcing its plan to open registration app stores. Qualified third-party Android app stores can submit registration applications to Google. After passing the review, the app store will gain system-level capabilities such as one-click installation of apps and automatic background updates, allowing users to reduce the number of confirmation steps when downloading apps from third-party stores.
This program is voluntary and only available in select regions outside the United States. The new installation experience will be enabled on devices running Android 17 QPR2 and higher starting on December 1, 2026, and app store developers or operators will need to pay an annual fee of $10,000 per year and meet Google's security and operational requirements.
When current users install apps through a third-party app store, they usually need to first allow the store to install apps in the system settings, and then confirm the system pop-up window during each installation. App stores that have registered plans will have a simplified installation process.
Google said that after the registered store is verified, the system will automatically grant the store corresponding installation permissions, and users do not need to deal with additional system confirmation interfaces when choosing to install applications in the store. The store can also start automatic updates in the background according to user settings, display download progress and status notifications, etc.
This change also covers the third-party app store itself, that is, when users install the third-party app store itself, they will also get a more simplified installation interface. They no longer need to go through tedious steps to successfully install the third-party app store, provided that the store has been registered with Google.
Google requires store operators to open an Android developer enterprise account. Personal developer accounts do not support direct application for application store qualifications. The registration process requires submitting an intention application, accepting a preliminary qualification check, paying an annual fee, uploading the store ontology, and accepting technical and security assessments.
More importantly, Google requires the store to submit the complete application catalog and subsequent updates to Google for malware scanning. That is, applications that do not pass the scan cannot be distributed and updated through third-party application stores registered with Google.
Legally, app store operators need to disclose privacy policies, developer agreements, and security rules, and provide channels for intellectual property processing, illegal content reporting, and user support. Google requires operators to maintain their own content review mechanisms and be responsible for the entire app library.
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