Details Here: Apple to Introduce Android-Style App Stores for iPhone Users in the EU in March

After months of speculation about Apple’s possible compliance with European Union regulations requiring third-party app stores to allow it on the mobile platform, the Cupertino-based giant has announced its strategy. This marks a major change in the app distribution model, and is probably the most significant change since the launch of the App Store.

For those familiar with the matter, Apple must comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This obliges all companies with 45 million active users and a market value of $82 billion to ensure that their applications are compatible with competing platforms. In addition, users are given the freedom to choose which apps they want pre-installed on their devices.

Simply put, starting from March this year with iOS 17.4, iPhone users in EU countries will soon have the option of using alternative app stores instead of relying solely on the App Store to download apps and games. This is similar to “sideloading” on Android phones, which allows users to choose where to download their apps. Of course, this option depends on the developers who want to pursue it. However, to ensure user safety, Apple requires these third-party stores to be approved by Apple. Additionally, users must grant permission to the store to download apps to their devices after downloading them.

This allows users to download apps that may not strictly adhere to the Apple App Store guidelines, and users can even use such a third-party store by default on their iPhones. However, Apple follows its standard policy, which includes scanning apps for malware, and only allows one version of an app to be downloaded from a different store. In addition, Apple imposes a “core technology fee” on top app developers, regardless of whether they use Apple’s payment system or not.

Additionally, developers can now include a third-party payment processor in their App Store app at no cost.

In addition, Apple offers EU iPhone users the option to set the default browser and contactless payment application. This expands capabilities beyond what was previously Apple’s proverbial “walled garden.”