Aptoide, S.A. filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Google LLC and related entities on April 14, 2026, alleging the tech giant illegally monopolized Android app distribution and in-app billing markets. The complaint builds on recent jury and court findings that Google willfully maintained monopoly power through anticompetitive conduct.
The Portuguese app store company alleges Google used Mobile Application Distribution Agreements and Revenue Sharing Agreements with Android phone manufacturers to secure preferential placement for Google Play while punishing competitors. According to the complaint, Google also allegedly made side deals with major app developers to keep them in the Play ecosystem and erected technical barriers that continue today to prevent rival app stores from gaining meaningful distribution.
Aptoide's case relies heavily on the Epic Games jury verdict. The complaint alleges that after 15 days of trial in Epic Games, Inc. v. Google LLC, a jury found Google willfully acquired or maintained monopoly power in the Android App Distribution market, with Google allegedly maintaining a monopoly share of over 90% in Android app distribution through 2022.
The lawsuit also incorporates alleged findings from United States v. Google LLC, where Aptoide claims a district court determined after a two-month trial that Google held monopoly power in general search services. Aptoide alleges Google used profits from its search monopoly to buy off Android device manufacturers and prevent them from giving competitors comparable treatment to Google Play.
The complaint includes 16 counts spanning Sherman Act and California state law violations, covering alleged monopolization in app distribution and in-app billing markets, plus various restraint of trade claims. Aptoide seeks a jury trial and demands unspecified relief.