Apple is set to grant iPhone users within the European Union the capability to download apps from sources beyond the official App Store starting from iOS 17.4. This adjustment is in response to the impending implementation of the Digital Markets Act, scheduled to take effect on March 7. Mandated by this legislation, Apple will be compelled to permit app sideloading on its devices.
However, Apple’s official press release suggests a measured endorsement of this forthcoming change. The company expresses reservations about potential privacy and security risks associated with allowing alternative app stores. As a response, Apple declares its commitment to bolstering user safety by implementing additional measures, such as preventing the launch of an app if it is detected to contain malware.
In conjunction with enabling sideloading, Apple is granting app developers the option to facilitate in-app purchases through payment services of their choosing, rather than exclusively through the App Store. Currently subject to commission fees, which have sparked controversy and legal disputes with entities like Epic Games and Spotify, developers opting for Apple’s app store will now experience reduced commissions, ranging from 10 to 17 percent. However, developers with over 1 million downloads will incur an additional fee of 0.50 euros per installation, a cost Apple asserts applies to less than 1 percent of app developers.
Moreover, Apple announces a new feature where users accessing the Safari browser for the first time on their device will encounter a selection screen prompting them to choose a default browser. Although it has been possible to set an alternative browser as the default on Apple devices, the Digital Markets Act dictates active notification to users regarding alternative options like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
These alterations are anticipated to be implemented with the release of iOS 17.4 in March, available to all users with supported iPhones. Notably, these changes are exclusive to European users, as different regulations govern the United States and other regions. The Digital Markets Act, functioning as an antitrust law, aims to establish a fair business environment for companies reliant on gatekeepers, including major tech entities such as Apple, Google, and Meta. Apple’s announced changes are aligned with the objectives of the Digital Markets Act, seeking to foster fair competition and create a more equitable playing field.
