Manzana is preparing for allow third-party app stores in Europe on iPhone and iPad by 2024. In this way, it will comply with European regulations, according to Bloomberg, which also points out that the arrival of this possibility could come even before 2024 begins. at the end of 2023, with the release of iOS 17.
This new version of its operating system for portable devices will incorporate various structural changes designed to comply with the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA). Under this law, a company’s ability to restrict the installation of third-party apps, or third-party software app stores, should be prohibited because it is unfair. Therefore, to ensure competition, platform owners like Apple will have to “allow third-party software applications or software app stores to be displayed to the user for the user to decide whether the service should be made the default on, as well as allowing that change to be made with ease«.
It also follows from this text that the law not only refers to app stores, but also that Apple will have to allow the direct installation of apps on their computers. So far, this is already possible on both Android and MacOS, although Cupertino doesn’t like it, and rejects it as a security disaster.
For now it is not known to what extent they will allow this. For now, as we have mentioned, at least in principle they will only allow it in Europe, but it would not be surprising if Apple worked with other companies to harmonize the company’s obligations as a great technology company in various countries and markets. Also to avoid the complications that come with having different systems in different regions.
By 2024, when technology companies have to comply with the obligations of the WFD, iOS users in Europe will be able to download apps from outside the iOS App Store, thus avoiding the commission of up to 30% that the company takes from each payment app in its store. It is not yet known if Apple will also allow third-party payment services to handle purchases made within an app.
To solve this problem, however, their plans go through «charge developers for access to iOS, even from third-party sites or stores«. How it will do this is unknown at this time, although it may do so by adding an amount to the fee paid each year by developers with access to the Apple Developer Program, which is currently $99.
This is not the only change that Apple is considering making. Another is to remove the requirement that all iOS browsers have to use its WebKit rendering engine, a rule that some governments already view with suspicion. This is the case of the Markets and Competition Authority of the United Kingdom, which does not see it favorably after receiving opinions against developer groups, such as Open web Advocacy.
In addition, there are rumors that Apple is considering how to make some of its system APIs, as well as hardware components, such as its camera or its NFC chip, more accessible to developers. Another possibility is that Apple opens up its FindMy network, which is currently used by devices like AirTags, or Apple hardware, to third-party hardware.
For now, it remains to be seen what response Apple will give to the requirement that chat-type apps must be interoperable. Of course, they are not expected to add support for the RCS communication standard, which Google wants Apple to adopt.
