Apple recently made significant changes to the way its core platform operates to comply with the European Union’s new big tech regulations, known as the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
After weeks of unveiling new — and often controversial — new policies, Apple declare On Tuesday, one of the most important initiatives inspired by the DMA: online distribution.
This means Apple will let app developers spread Their iOS apps are available directly to iPhone and iPad users through the developers’ own websites.
The Vision Pro app is now available on the Apple App Store website
Additionally, developers will be allowed to link to external pages within their apps without following Apple’s guidelines or templates for discounts, promotions and other offers. Companies that choose to create “alternative markets” will now also be allowed to distribute their apps individually through these platforms.
Apple announced these new EU policy additions in an update on Tuesday titled “More options for apps distributed in the EU.”
How apps are distributed on iOS in the EU will change forever
Apple first declare Earlier this year, it made sweeping changes to its app store model in preparation for DMA. New EU regulations came into effect last week, forcing large technology companies known as “gatekeepers” to open their core platforms to third parties in a bid to stimulate competition.
Apple has rolled out a series of DMA-inspired changes covering all aspects of iOS, but its App Store changes are undoubtedly the most significant. Because of DMA, Apple can no longer monopolize app distribution on iOS through the App Store. Apple complied with the rule by allowing competitors to distribute apps for iOS devices in what is known as the “alternative market” of the App Store. Developers publishing these apps on these markets are not required to follow Apple’s App Store content policies or participate in Apple’s App Store revenue share model.
However, its new app store policy is widely criticized Favored by peers in the technology industry. Under Apple’s DMA-inspired changes, app developers who agree to the company’s new terms allowing “alternative markets” will eventually be charged a “core technology fee” of €0.50 for first annual installs exceeding 1 million. This means that for the first time, developers can owe Apple money without generating any revenue from their apps.
That being said, these latest updates from Apple are a step in the right direction, but there’s more to come strict requirements For developers who choose to distribute their applications this way.
Apple still requires developers who distribute apps from its website to join the Apple Developer Program. Additionally, Apple says these developers must “be in good standing with the Apple Developer Program for two consecutive years or more and have an app with more than 100 first-year annual installs on iOS in the EU during the previous calendar year. Thousands of times.” Apple will also require these developers to assume responsibilities typically reserved for app distributors, such as handling government requests and maintaining contact with Apple about potential issues such as fraudulent or illegal behavior related to the apps.
However, a major drawback is that apps distributed directly through developer websites are still subject to the controversial core technology fee.
Of course, these new iOS app distribution policies only cover EU app developers. Everyone else still has to go to Apple’s official App Store.
