Apple Users in Europe Can Now Download Apps from Third-Party Web Platforms

The European Union’s Digital Markets Act officially comes into force this month. The most noteworthy change is that Apple users in Europe will start to see iOS and Apple apps, which have been exclusively available on the App Store, made available through third-party distributors.

While this offers developers more independence when it comes to app distribution, they must also follow Apple’s stringent app distribution and payment processing policies.

The DMA, which became applicable in May 2023, is a law introduced by the EU to make the digital markets a level playing field and more open to competition. It now forces so-called “gatekeepers” like Apple to open their core platform services to third-party competition within the EU.

However, Apple has its concerns over the new regulations. “The new options for processing payments and downloading apps on iOS open new avenues for malware, fraud and scams, illicit and harmful content, and other privacy and security threats,” says Apple in the press release.

It continues to say that Apple is committed to “helping to protect EU users from the unavoidable increased privacy and security threats this regulation brings.”

Apple will also provide Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to help third-party app distributors. The APIs are meant to help “integrate with system functionality, back up and restore users’ apps, and more,” says a statement on its support page.

However, the issue with this update is that developers must meet Apple’s tough requirements to be allowed to participate as trusted app distributors.

Apps provided by developers through Web Distribution must meet Notarization requirements to protect the integrity of the platform and must be offered on a website domain that is registered in App Store Connect.

Apple is also introducing strict measures in payment processing, which makes it very challenging for any third-party app developer to comply with Apple’s alternative app distribution terms.

The Coalition for App Fairness (CAF) has slammed Apple for being anti-competitive and for trying to extort developers. This non-profit organization cites new and unnecessary fees as well as overly complex terms that are bad for both consumers and developers.

“Apple clearly has no intention to comply with the DMA. Apple is introducing new fees on direct downloads and payments they do nothing to process,” says Rick VanMeter, Executive Director of the Coalition for App Fairness, in a CAF statement.

“Apple’s proposal forces developers to… stick with the terrible status quo or opt into a new convoluted set of terms that are bad for developers and consumers alike.”

While part of Apple’s new terms does reduce the amount of commission the company makes from third-party app sales, it still wants developers to pay the €0.50 Core Technology Fee for each first annual install if the iOS apps distributed on alternative platforms cross over a million downloads. Only nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities based in the EU are exempt from these fees.