Apple has modified the iPhone operating system to comply with the Digital Market Act (DMA). The first beta of iOS 17.5, currently reserved for developers, introduces the possibility of installing applications from websites for people in the European Union.
As a reminder, the blog post More options for applications distributed in the European Union published on March 12, 2024 already contained this initiative. We learned that the functionality would be available “later this spring”.
Although MacRumors has detected the presence of this feature in iOS 17.5, it is not currently usable by developers.
For good reason, they are waiting for a new API from Apple to integrate the downloading of applications from their websites. Added to this are a myriad of criteria to be met to be authorized to distribute its services in this way.
By offering applications from their website, developers have the opportunity to bypass App Store commissions: 15% for entrepreneurs generating up to $1 million in revenue per year, 30% for others.
This does not apply to those who manage to exceed 1 million downloads in the last 12 months. They will indeed have to pay the Core Technology Fee, a commission of 50 euro cents for each first installation exceeding this fateful milestone.
In addition to this new method of installing applications, iOS 17.5 adds a security feature to iPhones (via 9to5Mac): detection of location trackers other than AirTags, including those incompatible with Apple’s Find network.
In case an iPhone user is tracked by an unknown accessory of this type, they will receive a message informing them and guiding them to deactivate it.