Google Play Store
Google's app distribution platform for Android, which was the subject of the Epic Games lawsuit where it was found to have monopolistic characteristics that stifle competition.
First Mentioned
1/8/2026, 3:53:40 AM
Last Updated
1/8/2026, 3:56:32 AM
Research Retrieved
1/8/2026, 3:56:32 AM
Summary
The Google Play Store is Google's official digital distribution platform for certified Android devices and ChromeOS, serving as a central hub for applications, books, movies, and games. Originally launched as the Android Market on October 22, 2008, it was rebranded as Google Play on March 6, 2012, to consolidate various digital services under one brand. The platform supports over 2.5 billion monthly users across 190+ markets and hosts more than 3 million apps. Despite its dominance, the store has faced significant legal challenges, most notably the Epic vs. Google lawsuit where a jury found the Play Store to be an illegal monopoly. This verdict specifically targeted Google's antitrust violations and its 30% app store tax. In recent years, Google has begun phasing out the 'Play' branding for specific media services, transitioning users to YouTube Music and Google TV.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
App Count
3,000,000+ applications
Developer
Google
App Store Tax
30% commission fee
Initial Release
2008-10-22
Rebranding Date
2012-03-06
Operating Systems
Android, ChromeOS
Market Availability
190+ countries
Monthly Active Users
2,500,000,000 users
Annual Downloads (2016)
82,000,000,000 downloads
Timeline
- Initial release of the platform under the name Android Market. (Source: Web Search)
2008-10-22
- Launch of the Google Play Store brand, consolidating Android Market, Google Music, and Google Books. (Source: Wikipedia)
2012-03-06
- Google Play Store records over 82 billion application downloads for the year. (Source: Wikipedia)
2016-12-31
- The store reaches a peak of 3.5 million published applications before subsequent purges. (Source: Wikipedia)
2017-12-31
- Google Play Music is officially discontinued and replaced by YouTube Music. (Source: Wikipedia)
2020-12-03
- Google Play Movies & TV is rebranded as Google TV. (Source: Wikipedia)
2021-11-11
- Epic Games wins its lawsuit against Google; a jury finds the Google Play Store constitutes an illegal monopoly and that Google engaged in antitrust violations. (Source: eb4480db-8906-408f-b8da-c7f2622c98ce)
2023-12-11
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaGoogle Play
Google Play, also known as the Google Play Store or Play Store, and formerly known as the Android Market, is a digital distribution service operated and developed by Google. It serves as the official app store for certified devices running on the Android operating system and its derivatives, as well as ChromeOS, allowing users to browse and download applications developed with the Android software development kit and published through Google. Google Play has also served as a digital media store, with it offering various media for purchase (as well as certain things available free) such as books, movies, musical singles, television programs, and video games. Content that has been purchased on Google TV and Google Play Books can be accessed on a web browser (such as, for example, Google Chrome) and through certain Android and iOS apps. An individual's Google Account can feature a diverse collection of materials to be heard, read, watched, or otherwise interacted with. The nature of the various things offered through Google Play's services have changed over time given the particular history of the Android operating system. Applications are available through Google Play either for free or at a cost. They can be downloaded directly on an Android device through the proprietary Google Play Store mobile app or by deploying the application to a device from the Google Play website. Applications utilizing the hardware capabilities of a device can be targeted at users of devices with specific hardware components, such as a motion sensor (for motion-dependent games) or a front-facing camera (for online video calling). The Google Play Store had over 82 billion app downloads in 2016 and over 3.5 million apps published in 2017, while after a purge of apps, it is back to over 3 million. It has been the subject of multiple issues concerning security, in which malicious software has been approved and uploaded to the store and downloaded by users, with varying degrees of severity. Google Play was launched on March 6, 2012, bringing together Android Market, Google Music, Google Movies, and Google Books under one brand, marking a shift in Google's digital distribution strategy. Following their rebranding, Google has expanded the geographical support for each of the services. Since 2021, Google has gradually sunsetted the Play brand: Google Play Newsstand was discontinued and replaced by Google News, Google Play Music was discontinued and replaced by YouTube Music on December 3, 2020, and Play Movies & TV was rebranded as Google TV on November 11, 2021.
Web Search Results
- Google Play - Wikipedia
Google Play Store, shortened to Play Store on the Home screen and App screen, is Google's official pre-installed app store on Android-certified devices. It provides access to content on Google Play, including apps, books, magazines, music, movies, and television programs. Devices do not ship with the Google Play Store in China, with manufacturers offering their own alternative. [...] Google Play, also known as the Google Play Store or Play Store, and formerly known as the Android Market, is a digital distribution service operated and developed by Google. It serves as the official app store for certified devices running on the Android "Android (operating system)") operating system and its derivatives, as well as ChromeOS, allowing users to browse and download applications developed with the Android software development kit and published through Google. Google Play has also [...] ## Google Play Store on Android | Google Play Store | | Developer | Google | | Initial release | October 22, 2008; 17 years ago (2008-10-22) | | Operating system | Android "Android (operating system)") | | Type | Digital distribution, App store | | Website | play.google.com |
- Download Google Play Store (free) for Android, APK and Web App
The main purpose of the Google Play Store is to function on Android devices exclusively. All Android OS-based devices start with the app included, except for those made by companies that deploy their unique application marketplaces. It can also be accessed on Chromebooks with Android app support, providing a relatively comparable experience. [...] Beyond the offer of applications, the Google Play Store includes significant options for full books and audiobook content. In the past, there was also a movie catalog, but it was transferred to the Google TV app. Note that the books and audiobooks you purchase are then available through the Google Play Books app. [...] Image 3: Google Play Store Google Play Store Freeware 152,513 49.3.28 Download Web App Android (APK) Web App Specifications | Version | 49.3.28 | | Last update | December 20, 2025 | | License | Freeware | | Downloads | 152,513 (last 30 days) | | Author | Google | | Categories | Internet, Personalization | | OS | Android, Web App | Screenshots Image 4: Google Play StoreImage 5: Google Play StoreImage 6: Google Play Store Apps related to Google Play Store
- Find the Google Play Store app
You can get apps, games, and digital content for your device using the Google Play Store app. The Play Store app comes pre-installed on Android devices that support Google Play, and can be downloaded on some Chromebooks. ## Open the Play Store app 1. On your device, go to the Apps section. 2. Tap Google Play Store . 3. The app will open and you can search and browse for content to download. ## I can't find the Play Store App If you can't find the app in your list of all apps: [...] Google Play Help Sign in Google Help Help Center Community Google Play Privacy Policy Google Play Terms of Service Submit feedback Send feedback on... Help Center Community Get started with Google Play Google Play Google Play Store Find & download apps Find the Google Play Store app # Find the Google Play Store app
- How Google Play Works
Google Play is one of many ways to distribute apps and games on Android to people around the world. We are continually improving our platform, which allows developers to easily reach up to 2.5 billion people in 190+ markets. We provide promotional opportunities and programs to help developers reach, retain, and re-engage global users, such as our Play Points rewards program, which has over 300 million enrolled members. We’re also investing in a multi-device ecosystem, extending Play to screens [...] Jump to Content # How Google Play works Google Play is a global digital content store that makes it easy for more than 2.5 billion monthly users across 190+ markets worldwide to discover millions of high-quality apps, games, books, and more. We connect people looking for apps and games they’ll love with the businesses who build them. Our value Our business model Our developer community Our milestones Our recent news ## How Google Play delivers value [...] Everything we do has privacy, safety and security at its core. Play store app listings include a Data Safety section, which helps users evaluate an app’s safety before they install it. Our data deletion policy also empowers users with greater clarity and control over their in-app data. Our built-in malware protection, Google Play Protect, scans more than 200 billion Android apps per day, regardless of whether they were installed from Play or another app store. Helping developers to:
- Google Play Store Download for PC Windows (7/10/11) | Softmany
Google Play Store Download for PC Windows is the most popular app among smartphone and tablet users which gives you access anytime to any type of data, apps, videos, audio, games, written material, TV programs, and much more. Launched by Google in 2008, basically for mobiles, but now is available for PCs to run your mobile’s apps on your operating system. It provides unlimited apps and frequent updates before installing them. The app was given the name Android Market at first and had about [...] Descargar Google Play Store PC[ES] Telecharger Google Play Store PC[FR] Baixar Google Play Store PC[BR] Download Google Play Store PC[DE] Scarica Google Play Store PC[IT] 下载 Google Play Store PC[CN] Скачать Google Play Store PC[RU] ダウンロード Google Play Store PC[JP] Unduh Google Play Store PC[ID] 다운로드 Google Play Store PC[KR] تنزيل Google Play Store PC[AR] ดาวน์โหลด Google Play Store PC[TH] İndir Google Play Store PC[TR] Pobierz Google Play Store PC[PL] Download Google Play Store PC[EN] [...] The Google Play Store with a freeware license available for the Windows 64-bit operating system of a laptop and PC, presented for all software users as a free trial for a specific period, free download with potential restrictions. It belongs to the app store category. ### Compatible with Windows (7/10/11)