Apple’s lame excuse to justify the new constraints of the App Store

With the new App Store rules, iOS app developers can turn to alternative stores and payment solutions, but must agree to certain conditions. However, be careful: once they have opted for the new terms, they cannot go back. The Cupertino company explains why.

The rule changes made by Apple on iOS and the App Store are shaking up the iPhone… and causing a lot of ink to flow. As a reminder, the apple brand has complied with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This is new legislation which aims to counteract the dominant positions of tech giants in order to promote healthy competition.

Apple is one of the famous giants targeted by the EU. The DMA thus forces the brand to relax, among other things, the rules of the App Store to ensure that it is no longer the one and only way to download applications on iOS, for users, or to download them. distribute, for developers.

Thus, on iOS 17.4 (still in beta), Apple now offers two choices to developers. Either they continue with the same rules that existed until now, no change. Either they opt for the new contractual terms which authorize them to offer their applications on alternative stores to the App Store.

With this second option, they will be subject to a reduced commission on the App Store, will have the right to use payment methods other than Apple Pay (but will have 3% commission on Apple’s solution) and will be exhibited at the Core Technology Fee. The latter is a new tax that could prove steep for popular applications exceeding one million downloads.

There is therefore a particularly important notion of opportunity/risk that any developer must take into consideration before making their choice. For having applied this Core Technology Fee constraint, Apple is strongly criticized by heavyweights like Spotify or Epic Games. Even Microsoft went out of its way to deplore the situation.

A final decision

We therefore realize the importance of the subject. However, there is one detail that you absolutely must know — and which makes this dilemma even more crucial. Once a developer decides to switch to the new contractual framework allowing them to look elsewhere than the App Store, they can no longer go back. This decision is final.

This is in fact what Apple clarified during a meeting with the tech press – and in which Frandroid. A spokesperson for the brand indicates, however, that developers can take their time to make this decision. There is no deadline. On the other hand, once the transition is made, it’s forever.

Apple’s explanations

Apple explains that it cannot let developers switch between frameworks freely, as this could harm the consistency of the user experience. By opting for the new distribution terms, an app can offer its own transaction solution and even exit the App Store if the developer wishes.

The Cupertino company believes that if a developer regularly changes from one situation to another, the experience that its app offers would deteriorate. In any case, this is the official discourse it maintains. Some could also see it as a means of putting pressure on developers to discourage them from going to see if the grass is greener elsewhere.

Not sure therefore that the apple’s justifications succeed in convincing. Remember that the stable version of iOS 17.4 will be ready in March, right in time for the DMA to come into force on March 6, 2024.