Apple App Store changes its policy in Europe: downloading applications from third-party stores will now be allowed

To comply with European Union regulations with the advent of the Digital Markets Act, or DMA (English acronym), Apple has made sweeping changes that make iOS and the brand’s other operating systems more open. The changes are far-reaching and affect many aspects of the user experience on iPhone. They will appear in iOS 17.4 in March..

Changes to the App Store for Europe

Apple will release “new APIs (application programming interfaces) and tools that will allow developers to offer their Programs on iOS to download from markets alternatives,” as well as a new structure and set of APIs that will make it easier for third parties to create and manage these stores; essentially new modalities that allow you to load other Programs without going to the App Store. This includes the ability to manage updates from other developers that are distributed through markets.

The company will also offer more APIs and a new platform for third-party web browsers, allowing the use of browsers other than WebKit Safari. Until now, browsers such as Chrome and Firefox continued to run on Apple technology. It was essentially Safari for mobile devices, but with bookmarks and other features tied to alternative desktop browsers.

The changes also apply to NFC (near field communication) technology and contactless payments. Previously, only Apple Pay took full advantage of these iPhone features. The company will now introduce new APIs that will allow banking app and wallet developers to have more comparable access.

Developers will have new opportunities to use different payment service providers within Programs and direct users to make payments on external websites via links. They can also use their apps to inform users about promotions and offers offered outside of their apps. But Apple clarifies that it will not offer refunds or assistance to customers who purchased something outside of its own payment system..

Apple mentions that it will provide users in the European Union ability to choose default app stores or contactless payment appsas was already the case with services Email or web browsers. They will also be prompted to select a default browser the first time they open Safari in iOS 17.4 or later updates.

Developers will be able to “send additional compatibility requests with functions Hardware And software for iPhone and iOS” in a new form.

All Previous changes apply only to the European Union; Apple won’t be shipping them to the US or other regions at this time. However, there is one notable change that extends beyond Europe: the company indicates that “developers can now offer a single app with the ability to stream all the games in their catalog.” This opens the door to services like Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass or Nvidia’s GeForce Now.

Apple emphasizes that “every experience available in an App Store app must meet all rating guidelines,” which will still pose some hurdles for users. streamers video games.

DMA Overlay on Apple and its App Store

Apple announced these changes to comply with the DMA, a sweeping antitrust law that, among other things, aims to allow video distribution platforms software be fairer to developers. Apple is appealing the law, but must still comply before deadline March 6, 2024.

Apple’s public statements surrounding the changes are filled with warnings to users that the company’s platforms will become less secure and less secure as a result, lending credence to a common argument underlying the company’s resistance to the rules in the past.