Apple continues its efforts to comply with the Digital Market Act (DMA). This Tuesday, March 12, 2024, the Cupertino company announced a new method so that developers can offer their iOS applications outside the App Store.
After an iOS 17 software update available “later this spring”iPhone users will be able to download apps directly from a developer’s website previously registered in App Store Connect.
Obviously, Apple imposes some requirements. First, creators will need to have been a member of Apple’s Developer Program for at least two consecutive years, have recorded over 1 million first-time installs on iOS within the EU in the previous year, and be domiciled on the Old Continent.
In addition, the apps must “meet verification requirements to protect the integrity of the platform, like all iOS applications”, explains Apple. The American firm ends its post by emphasizing that when installing an app from a website, the user will see a pop-up window informing them of certain details such as “app name, developer name, app description, screenshots and age restrictions”.
Please note that the apps concerned will be subject to the Core Technology Fee, i.e. a commission of €0.50 for each first installation beyond the million mark over the last 12 months.
Apple also announced two other changes:
- The lifting of the restriction requiring application stores other than the App Store to offer third-party applications in their catalog.
- The ability for developers to customize Apple’s warning pop-up indicating that the app is referring the user to an external site to sign up for a subscription or purchase content.