Apple brings changes to Europe: New features for developers and alternative app stores

Apple has announced three new options for developers within the European Union, allowing them to promote their apps through their own websites, set their own strategies for in-app offers and access other features.

Just last week, the company introduced support for alternative app stores in iOS 17.4 for users in the EU, where third-party app stores can now offer only their own collections of apps. This allows companies such as game studios to offer their own products through a dedicated app store on the platform.

Developers now have the flexibility to arrange offers, discounts and promotions within their apps as they wish when directing users to complete transactions through their websites. Apple now provides optional guidelines for designing these links.

In addition, developers will soon be able to distribute apps directly from their websites, provided they meet specific Apple criteria. They must have been members of the Apple Developer Program for at least two years and have apps with over one million installations in the EU in the previous year. Apps that meet these criteria can be distributed through approved websites and must comply with Apple's security requirements.

Approved developers will also have access to APIs that facilitate app distribution from the web, allowing them to integrate system features, backups and other functions. This capability will become available with an upcoming software update, allowing apps to be downloaded directly from websites for the first time on iOS.

These new additions address the requirements of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and apply exclusively to the European Union, aiming to create a more open and fair digital market.