Judge Orders Google to Simplify Third-Party App Store Installations

US District Judge James Donato ordered Google to remove 'anticompetitive friction' and warning screens that currently hinder users from installing third-party app stores on Android devices.

The court mandate requires Google to make the installation process for alternative app stores as seamless as downloading standard apps from the Google Play Store within one week.

The ruling also requires Google to remove the 'View' button requirement and fix banner-based navigation that currently obscures direct access to third-party app store pages.