Mexico’s antitrust authority has forced Google to drop Android exclusivity clauses, unlocking open source Android alternatives, deeper customisation for manufacturers, and new app distribution freedoms for developers.
Mexico’s National Antitrust Commission (CNA) has ordered Google to remove restrictive contractual clauses imposed on smartphone manufacturers, marking a decisive regulatory move that opens the door to open-source Android alternatives.
The clauses had previously prevented manufacturers from producing or distributing devices running operating systems other than Android without facing penalties. By dismantling these restrictions, the ruling directly weakens Google’s control over Android device manufacturers.
Until now, Google required manufacturers to sign compatibility and exclusivity agreements in order to retain access to Google Mobile Services (GMS). These agreements limited manufacturers from developing or commercialising their own operating systems, effectively binding Android’s open-source core to Google-controlled services.
Following the CNA’s decision, smartphone manufacturers in Mexico are now legally permitted to ship devices with alternative operating systems. This includes the ability to develop proprietary software or build customised platforms based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). In practical terms, this creates the possibility for vendors such as Samsung to launch future Galaxy devices running non-Android or heavily modified Android-based software.
The ruling also allows manufacturers to customise software more deeply without risking contractual retaliation from Google, enabling experimentation beyond standard Android implementations.
Developers benefit as well. With the removal of ecosystem lock-in, app developers are no longer required to distribute software through a single Google-tied platform, making alternative app distribution methods and marketplaces viable.
In an official communication, the CNA said the decision amplifies alternatives for manufacturers and reduces costs when negotiating agreements with Google. The order explicitly bars Google from limiting manufacturers to Android-exclusive devices and takes effect upon publication.
Mexico’s move aligns with broader Latin American regulatory action against Big Tech monopolies. Brazil has separately ordered Apple to open the iPhone to third-party app marketplaces, reinforcing a regional push to reduce platform lock-in and restore market competitiveness.
