.png)
Huge rule changes are coming to the iPhone and other Apple products in a key decision that will affect every company product going forward.
It comes as Apple has issued a major hacking warning to those who own its products, as well as dissuading customers from carrying out the ‘dangerous act’ that millions of us do every day.
Now, the latest announcement from the American company concerns the App Store – or rather, the unnecessary use of it.
As it stands, Apple only allows apps to be downloaded to its devices through the official App Store.
But the new law means that starting in spring 2024, iPhone and iPad users can download apps they don’t want to appear in the App Store for whatever reason.
This means you can very quickly go directly to developers to get what you want as part of Apple’s new web distribution feature.
That will cost developers, who will have to accept Apple’s new App Store terms that guarantee 50 cents to companies for every first time someone installs their app.
Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Apple’s rules state that any developer who wants to go with direct downloads must be in ‘good standing with the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more’ as a way to stop the risks associated with apps coming with nasties such as viruses, ransomware and spyware – the practice known as malware.
The rule also greatly limits who can offer their apps for direct download, with it being mostly limited to those already established as big names in the tech world.
Currently, the changes will only be available in the European Union (EU), and have been introduced as a result of the EU Digital Markets Act.
Apple said: “Apple will authorize developers after they meet certain criteria and commit to ongoing requirements that help protect users. Authorized developers will gain access to APIs that facilitate the distribution of developer applications from the web, integrate with system functions, security copy and restore users’ applications and more.
“Apps offered through web distribution must meet notarization requirements to protect the integrity of the platform, like all iOS apps, and can only be installed from a website domain that the developer has registered with App Store Connect.
Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
“Using App Store Connect, developers can easily download signed binaries and host them on their distribution website.
“To install apps from a developer’s website, users will first need to authorize the developer to install apps in Settings on their iPhone.
“When installing an app, the system table will display information that developers have submitted to Apple for review, such as the app name, developer name, app description, screenshots, and system age rating.”
Featured image credit: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Topics: iPhone, Phones, Apple, Technology, Crime, World News, US News, UK News, News