Google begins certifying Registered App Stores for Android, but not in the US

Running an app ecosystem has gotten a lot more complex for Google after its loss in the Epic Games antitrust case. While US users can access app stores in Google Play by court order, international users will use Google’s voluntary Registered App Stores program. Google has announced that stores wishing to be part of that program are now free to apply, and support will roll out to some Android devices later this year.

在 Epic Games 反垄断案败诉后，运营应用生态系统对谷歌而言变得复杂了许多。虽然美国用户可以根据法院命令在 Google Play 中访问应用商店，但国际用户将使用谷歌自愿推出的“注册应用商店”（Registered App Stores）计划。谷歌已宣布，希望加入该计划的商店现在可以自由申请，相关支持将于今年晚些时候在部分安卓设备上推出。

App stores accepted into the program will enjoy preferential treatment on the Android platform. Users of approved stores will be able to install apps with a single click, similar to the experience in the Play Store. These stores will also be allowed to update apps silently in the background like Google’s store does.

被该计划接纳的应用商店将在安卓平台上享有优惠待遇。获批商店的用户将能够一键安装应用，体验与 Google Play 商店类似。这些商店也将被允许像谷歌商店一样在后台静默更新应用。

“In March, we announced the Registered App Stores program to give third-party app stores a more streamlined way to reach users while maintaining the safety and security of the Android ecosystem,” said a Google spokesperson. “Eligible app stores outside the US can now apply to register their stores ahead of the new simplified installation experience rolling out to users later this year.”

“我们在三月份宣布了‘注册应用商店’计划，旨在为第三方应用商店提供一种更精简的方式来触达用户，同时维护安卓生态系统的安全，”谷歌发言人表示。“美国境外的合格应用商店现在可以申请注册，以便在今年晚些时候向用户推出新的简化安装体验之前做好准备。”

The Android Registered App Stores program was initially Google’s backup plan. After losing its appeal of Judge James Donato’s verdict, Google was faced with a number of remedies, like allowing third-party billing and sharing app catalogs with rival stores. The most dramatic shift was the court’s requirement that Google distribute third-party stores within Google Play. Google and Epic, having patched things up following the trial, attempted to settle the case in a way that gave Google more control. Registered App Stores were intended as a replacement for hosting the stores in Google Play, provided they could adhere to a baseline level of trust and safety. Google intended to use this program in the US and internationally, but the companies withdrew the settlement when the court signaled it would not be approved.

安卓“注册应用商店”计划最初是谷歌的备选方案。在对 James Donato 法官的裁决上诉失败后，谷歌面临多项补救措施，例如允许第三方支付并与竞争对手商店共享应用目录。最剧烈的变化是法院要求谷歌在 Google Play 内分发第三方商店。谷歌和 Epic 在庭审后修复了关系，并试图通过一种能让谷歌获得更多控制权的方式来和解此案。如果这些商店能遵守基本的信任和安全标准，“注册应用商店”本意是作为在 Google Play 中托管商店的替代方案。谷歌原计划在美国和国际上使用该计划，但当法院示意不会批准该和解协议时，双方撤回了协议。

Registered App Stores are still happening on Android, but they won’t be supported in the US—you can go to Google Play for alternative stores stateside, but so far, Aptoide remains the only one listed. Those operating Android app storefronts who want to be included in the international program can now review the program and begin the enrollment process.

“注册应用商店”计划仍在安卓系统上推进，但不会在美国提供支持——在美国，你可以前往 Google Play 获取替代商店，但到目前为止，Aptoide 是唯一上架的应用。那些希望加入该国际计划的安卓应用商店运营商现在可以查阅计划详情并开始注册流程。

Strict requirements, narrow support: Any store hoping to get approval will have to adhere to a number of requirements, including protecting intellectual property, removing illegal content, and publishing a privacy policy for both users and developers. Google also requires several ongoing security measures to ensure the stores do not give malware easier access to Android devices. As part of the application process, store operators must provide documentation for all these points (in English) and upload copies of all their apps. It costs $10,000 per year to participate in the Android Registered App Stores program, and that fee must be paid before Google will review the application. Google says this fee covers the additional support necessary to run the program. There may also be additional review fees if Google detects a store has a problem with malware.

严格的要求，有限的支持：任何希望获得批准的商店都必须遵守多项要求，包括保护知识产权、删除非法内容，以及为用户和开发者发布隐私政策。谷歌还要求采取多项持续的安全措施，以确保这些商店不会让恶意软件更容易地进入安卓设备。作为申请流程的一部分，商店运营商必须提供所有这些要点的文档（英文版）并上传其所有应用的副本。参与安卓“注册应用商店”计划的费用为每年 10,000 美元，且必须在谷歌审核申请前支付。谷歌表示，这笔费用涵盖了运营该计划所需的额外支持。如果谷歌检测到商店存在恶意软件问题，可能还会收取额外的审核费用。

Google plans to roll out support in dozens of nations, which includes most of the world outside of the US and Europe. The program goes live on December 1, but it will only work on Android devices running the latest builds of Android 17. Google says support will start with Android 17 QPR2, which is expected to arrive on Pixel phones in the coming weeks. Google doesn’t even sell those in most of the supported regions, and the devices people do use in such places tend to have much slower updates. A substantial number of Android devices in supported countries may never even see an update compatible with the Registered App Stores program.

谷歌计划在数十个国家推出该支持，其中包括美国和欧洲以外的世界大部分地区。该计划将于 12 月 1 日上线，但仅适用于运行最新版 Android 17 的安卓设备。谷歌表示，支持将从 Android 17 QPR2 开始，预计将在未来几周内推送至 Pixel 手机。谷歌甚至不在大多数受支持的地区销售这些手机，而当地用户使用的设备更新速度往往慢得多。在受支持的国家中，有相当一部分安卓设备可能永远无法获得与“注册应用商店”计划兼容的更新。