In an effort to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, Apple has taken a step forward with iOS 17.5, enabling developers to offer their applications not just through alternative marketplaces, but also directly from their own websites. This development follows Apple’s previous move in iOS 17.4, which aimed to diversify app distribution channels within the EU to align with the new regulations.
For developers to qualify for direct website downloads within the EU, they must adhere to several prerequisites. Firstly, they must have been members of the Apple Developer Program for a minimum of two years. Additionally, their app should have garnered over one million initial installs on iOS devices in the EU within the previous year. Other stipulations include undergoing Apple’s notarization process and maintaining clear data collection policies.
Apple is set to furnish eligible developers with an API, facilitating the web-based distribution of their apps. This method ensures that apps can be seamlessly backed up, restored, updated, and managed by users. Marking a first for Apple, this initiative opens up new avenues for popular apps like Spotify and Fortnite to reach users directly, bypassing the App Store, provided that the developers agree to Apple’s conditions.
It is important to note that while apps distributed directly from websites won’t incur the usual Apple commission, they will be subject to a nominal 0.50 euro Core Technology Fee. This alternative method of app distribution is exclusive to the European Union, in line with the Digital Markets Act, and currently, it is applicable only to iPhone users, excluding iPad owners.
