iOS: Apple allows app downloads from websites
Apple is taking another step towards sideloading. From the next iOS update, developers will be able to offer their apps for download to the iPhone directly from their website. However, the requirements for companies are high.
The Digital Markets Act in the EU requires Apple to sideload iOS, among other things. This means that you can obtain apps from sources other than its own App Store. Apple does indeed fulfil this obligation, but only very hesitantly and under rather unattractive conditions for developer companies. This is causing red heads.
Now Apple has made further concessions to the DMA. The US company writes on its news blog that apps will soon be available in the EU without a separate App Store. This means that developers can now offer their iOS apps for download on their website, for example. You can then download and install them - completely without an iOS or other app store.
Further opening yes, but...
The advantage for app developers is obvious. The "Apple Tax" no longer applies. This means they do not have to hand over 30 per cent of their app revenue to Apple. However, Apple has set out a number of strict guidelines that companies must fulfil in order to be allowed to distribute their apps via their own sources. These are, for example:
- As with third-party stores, a "core technology fee" of 50 cents is charged on downloads (from one million downloads). Only non-profit organisations and public authorities in the EU are exempt from this fee.
- The company must be founded, based and registered in the EU - or have such a subsidiary. As such, the company must have been a member of Apple's developer programme for at least two years without interruption.
- The app in question must have had at least one million first installations on iOS in the EU in the previous calendar year.
- They must comply with all EU regulations, such as the DMA and the DSA (Digital Services Act).
- You must continue to programme the apps within the Apple development environment.
That's a lot of hurdles for companies, which already excludes a lot of smaller companies. But even larger players, such as the game developer "Epic Games", for example, are failing due to the two-year requirement for developer membership.
Source: Florian Bodoky
In addition, Apple has a few challenges up its sleeve for users. If you want to install such an app on your iPhone, you must first "whitelist" the developer of the app in the settings. This means explicitly allowing apps from this developer to be installed. You have to do this individually for each developer company.
At the same time, Apple has announced that it will soften its "anti-steering rule". In future, suppliers will be allowed to advertise their products and services, including prices, in their apps and even link to extreme websites. Apple will implement these options in the upcoming iOS version - this will be released "later in the spring".
I've been tinkering with digital networks ever since I found out how to activate both telephone channels on the ISDN card for greater bandwidth. As for the analogue variety, I've been doing that since I learned to talk. Though Winterthur is my adoptive home city, my heart still bleeds red and blue.