After years of Apple keeping its ecosystem tightly locked down, cracks are starting to appear in its famous walled garden, with the newly released iOS 17.4 allowing third-party app stores for the first time. However, access to these is only available to users within the European Union (EU) – and don’t expect to be able to bypass the restriction by using a VPN.
As noted by 9to5Mac, Apple has uploaded a new support document outlining how it will ensure that anyone who wants to access a third-party app store is physically located within the EU.
First, you must have an Apple ID that is set to an EU member state. In addition, there is a geolocation check to ensure that you are physically located in one of these countries. Apple says it doesn’t collect your actual location, just an indication of whether or not you’re eligible to use third-party app stores.
Interestingly, the geolocation aspect of Apple’s restrictions implies that even the best VPN services will not be able to bypass them. This is because a VPN can change your IP address to trick the server into believing you are in another country, but the geolocation verification happens on the device itself (usually using GPS) and therefore cannot be spoofed in the same way.
Apple could use other ways to verify your location, and it already has a system in place that does just that. Also, as 9to5Mac discovered, this system looks for things like your rough location (nationally, not your exact location), your Apple ID billing address, the region you’re using in the Settings app, and the type of device you’re reusing.
App stores are coming
Apple says you’ll be able to access alternative app stores if you leave the EU for a short “grace period,” but warns that if you’re “away for too long, you’ll lose access to some features, including installing new alternative app stores.” The apps you installed will still work, but you won’t be able to update them. The company did not say how long the grace period is.
Alternative app stores are yet to be allowed, but one is already available for download. Called Mobivention App Marketplace, this store is aimed at corporate customers who want a place to distribute their own business-focused apps. Other providers, such as MacPaw, Epic Games and AltStore, have said they will launch their own app stores soon.
Apple has not given a reason why it is going so far to ensure that only EU citizens can access third-party app stores, but one reason could be to prevent the idea from spreading to users in other countries. For one, Apple has repeatedly said that third-party app stores whose access is mandated by the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) could be insecure.
In addition, they also pose a potential threat to Apple’s revenue – just one look at Apple’s heavy fees for developers using third-party app stores shows how concerned Apple is. While the company has been forced to open up in the EU, no other jurisdictions have followed suit, so it seems likely that Apple wants to curb the spread of alternative app stores as much as it can.
If you’re located within the EU, you’ll be able to try out these new app stores almost immediately. If you haven’t, all you can do is wait to see if Apple is forced to open up elsewhere.