Yesterday, Apple announced significant alterations to the software landscape in the European Union. With the plethora of information released, it’s possible that some details may have been missed by both developers and device users.
We have compiled some lesser-known information that sheds light on the implications of these changes for the iPhone and other Apple products.
iPad and Other Devices The Digital Markets Act necessitated Apple to substitute “iOS” with “App Store” within the European Union. The European Commission defines iOS as the operating system for iPhones, and the “App Store” as a platform that encompasses all Apple devices. Consequently, certain modifications implemented by Apple are specific to the iPhone, while others pertain to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. Limitations on the iPhone’s software markets – Third-party markets will be available for iPhones but not for iPads, meaning that installing a third-party app store on an iPad will not be possible. Additionally, it will not be feasible to install apps from another app store on an iPad, with some apps being exclusive to the iPhone. App notifications – Notifications related to third-party markets will only affect iOS apps, not iPadOS apps. Alternative browsers – The iPhone will enable browsers to utilize a different engine, a feature not available for the iPad. For example, Chrome’s iPhone app can use a non-WebKit engine, unlike the Chrome app for iPad. NFC access – iPhone users will be able to access NFC technology through banking and wallet apps, and set up other contactless payment apps as defaults. App Store updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS New Business Terms – The new business terms, encompassing Core Technology Fees and reduced App Store commissions, are applicable to all Apple platforms. Third-party payments – Developers have the option to use a third-party payment company for digital products and services, instead of In-App Purchases. App Store Labels – The App Store product page and the app’s content disclosure page will indicate when an app utilizes alternative payments, cautioning users to use an alternative payment app. Exit payments – Developers can include a link enabling users to complete an action on the developer’s website, and also provide notifications of promotions, discounts, and offers available outside of their apps. Default App Marketplace According to the DMA, iPhone users in Europe can designate a different app marketplace as the default on their device. This will primarily show market results for other apps in a Spotlight search when there are alternative items available in that market.
Requirements for the App Market The app market must furnish Apple with a $1 million euro letter of credit as proof of repayment. While markets are exempt from paying the 0.50 euro Core Technology Fee for the first 1 million “installations”, this exemption does not extend to software markets. The fee must be promptly paid. Additionally, developers intending to establish a software market must be present in the European Union. Software marketplaces will only be subject to a Core Technology Fee for placing software on the marketplace, with individual program fees being paid by the programs themselves, not the existing market. Furthermore, a software market must host more than one software in order to cater favorably to developers, with the option to enforce certain requirements, such as all games or educational programs, although all programs in a specific category must register to be part of the market.
App Store Installation The app store can be installed as an app through Safari or another browser, directly from the app store developer.
Limitations on the App Market and Features The App Market is exclusively compatible with iOS devices, appearing in Spotlight, functioning with most Screen Time features, and being included in iCloud backups. Notably, Screen Time purchase restrictions, Family Purchase Sharing, and general purchases do not apply to Marketplace apps. Apple will not retail third-party software stores, nor offer them as an option to users, requiring developers to cultivate their own audience for their markets. Moreover, Apple will not intercede in refunds or subscription management tools, as users must seek these options from the market itself.
Managing Market Apps If a market app is uninstalled from an iPhone, the apps installed within that market cannot be updated until the market is reinstalled. Users will be able to view the market from which the app was originally downloaded in the Settings app.
Welcoming New Apple Business Developers opting for Apple’s new business terms, including the Core Technology Fee and reduced commissions, cannot revert to the previous arrangements, as this is a one-time change. Alignment with the new business terms is done at the per-account level, rather than per-app.
Notification and Monitoring While Notarization will verify for malware, viruses, and ensure that the software functions as claimed, Apple does not govern the content. Copyright infringement, IP theft, and other violations must be reported to the software markets, not to Apple.
TestFlight Developers have the capability to employ TestFlight for testing apps developed for a specific market, even if the app is not distributed through the App Store.
NFC The NFC changes extend to countries within the European Economic Area, encompassing not only EU countries, but also Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, which are not part of the European Union.
Other Questions Do you have any inquiries about the alterations in the software environment within the EU? Feel free to share them in the comments below.
