The digital wall around the iPhone that has prevented users from downloading software to their phones that is not approved by the App Store will soon be broken in Europe. But according to a new report, Apple is already planning to patch the holes drilled by European Union (EU) laws – meaning sideloading may not be as free as we’d hoped.
First, let’s go back to April 2022 when the EU – a group of 27 European countries including France, Germany and Spain – agreed the Digital Markets Act. It went into effect in November of that year and was designed to address issues surrounding Apple’s control over what apps could and couldn’t be downloaded to the iPhone.
By March this year (2024), platforms will have to comply with the EU or face disciplinary action.
The law will not only apply to Apple. Google (which makes Android) and other platforms will also have to comply with the new rules, but unlike the iPhone, Android phones can already install software that isn’t in the Play Store – Android’s version of the Apple App Store. By the way, this practice of downloading apps from sources other than official app stores is called sideloading.
You will experience the new Spotify if you live in the EU. One where you can see all subscription prices, promotions or offers, and even shop, all seamlessly within the app. Find out what this means for you: https://t.co/j1hYRC3S5c pic.twitter.com/p1GDY6PNddJanuary 24, 2024
Apple has strongly defended its stance against sideloading, saying it makes the iPhone more secure and relatively virus-free. Its critics – like Spotify – will loudly call its system anti-competitive because the App Store takes up to 30% commission on all purchases through it and gives Apple’s apps an unfair advantage.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal (behind the paywall), Apple’s current plans will still allow it to monitor apps downloaded outside of the App Store. Moreover, it plans to take fees from these apps as well. So there may not be much difference between App Store and non-App Store apps.
Details haven’t been revealed yet, but it’s likely that Apple will be able to maintain this level of control by adding new rules to its developer tools license agreement. You need these tools to develop apps that work for the iPhone, whether you publish them through the App Store or not. By amending the license agreement to include the checks and restrictions it normally imposes on the App Store, Apple could comply with the new laws without changing the situation that much.
As with all leaks, we should take this report with a grain of salt. We don’t yet know exactly what approach Apple will take, or even whether the leaked approach will be considered compliant by the EU, but recent history suggests that Apple will do the bare minimum it can.
Earlier this year, Apple was forced to allow developers to direct app users to non-Apple payment systems — one that currently takes 30% of most third-party payments through it (small businesses pay a 15% commission). Striker? Apple will place a 27% commission on payments through the alternative system. Given the hassle and minimal incentive, many developers complained that this wouldn’t change anything.
Not European? You should still care
If you’re in the US or UK post-Brexit, then you’re probably wondering what all this EU legal stuff has to do with you.
Well, for one thing, it wouldn’t be the first time EU action has affected the iPhone for everyone. The iPhone 15 models only switched to a USB-C port when they did because due to EU legislation and discussions in European countries about the technology’s repairability, Apple preemptively launched Self Service Repair everywhere.
Even if Apple decides to digitally include these App Store changes only in the EU, it’s likely that other nations like the US and the UK will consider it as well. And if you have one of the best VPN services installed, there’s a chance you can trick Apple into thinking you’re in the EU and force it to give you access to non-App Store software.
So be on the lookout for changes to the way you can use your iPhone in March, but don’t hold your breath for them to be too significant.