Apple recently unveiled sweeping revisions to its App Store policies for Europe following the region’s new Digital Markets Act (DMA) legislation taking effect in March 2023. These are some of the most significant transformations of Apple’s proprietary ecosystem since its launch.
Core updates include allowing third-party app stores on iOS for the first time ever and sharp cuts to App Store commissions. Apple is also providing more payment and browser choices along with wider installation and pricing flexibility for developers.
Alternative Stores and Payment Methods
Under the revised terms, iOS users can directly download third-party app stores and then install apps made available through those external marketplaces. Apple will additionally enable alternative in-app payment systems bypassing its own infrastructure and without commissions.
App makers can also choose to stick to existing arrangements if they wish. But Apple will levy installation charges beyond an annual 1 million threshold for those embracing the new models.
Criticism Over Limited Scope
However, the Coalition for App Fairness has blasted Apple for only grudgingly complying in the EU while refusing meaningful changes elsewhere. Epic will return ‘Fortnite’ to European iOS via its own store but both underscored the updates don’t adequately tackle anticompetitive behavior.
Other changes facilitate options in payments, browsers and defaults. But Apple hasn’t committed to introducing these universally yet, citing security risks.
