Under the new regulations, Apple will be compelled to open segments of its profitable app ecosystem, potentially creating openings for competitors such as Google.
With the rollout of iOS 17.4, iPhone users within the European Union gain access to third-party app stores. However, Apple cautions that EU users traveling beyond the bloc will experience a “grace period” before certain functionalities cease to operate entirely while they are abroad. This information is outlined in Apple’s support document elucidating alternative app marketplaces.
“If you leave the European Union for short-term travel, you’ll continue to have access to alternative app marketplaces for a grace period. If you’re gone for too long, you’ll lose access to some features, including installing new alternative app marketplaces. Apps you installed from alternative app marketplaces will continue to function, but they can’t be updated by the marketplace you downloaded them from.“
We’ve reached out to Apple for clarification regarding the duration of the “grace period” and are awaiting a response.
Apple’s decision to grant iPhone users in the EU access to alternative app stores aligns with the regulatory framework of the Digital Markets Act, which takes effect for all 27 countries in the bloc on March 7. This change marks the first time users can download apps from marketplaces outside of Apple’s own App Store.
In iOS 17.4, EU users concerned about potential privacy, safety, and security risks associated with alternative app marketplaces can designate their preferred alternative app store as the default App Store through Settings. Additionally, a Screen Time setting empowers parents to determine whether their children’s devices can install apps from these alternative marketplaces.
To access alternative app marketplaces, a user’s Apple ID country or region must be set to one of the EU countries or regions, and the user must be physically present within the EU. Apple emphasizes that device eligibility for accessing these marketplaces is determined via on-device processing, with only an eligibility indicator shared with Apple. To safeguard user privacy, Apple does not collect a device’s location.
The first alternative app marketplace in the EU is set to launch this week. German IT service provider Mobivention will unveil its corporate-focused Mobivention App Marketplace on Thursday. MacPaw has announced plans to introduce an alternative app marketplace in April, while Epic Games also intends to launch one.
These changes do not extend beyond the EU borders, nor do they affect iPadOS in any jurisdiction.
