With iOS 17.4 now available, European users have access to several new exclusive features not available anywhere else in the world. Thanks to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, Apple had to open up the iPhone to sideloading and more. With that in mind, these are the best new features iPhone users in Europe can enjoy.
Alternative app stores
There is currently no major alternative app store, but Epic Games and Setapp are among the first companies to read their own stores to compete with Apple’s services. Once available, users can download apps that may not be available in the App Store. This is one of the best iPhone features coming to Europe in light of DMA.
The most prominent of these alternative app stores will likely be the Epic Games Store, as Epic makes a comeback Fortnite on iPhone. Following the launch of the Epic Store, European users will once again be able to play the uber-popular Battle Royale game.
Download apps directly from websites
Apple recently announced that this spring iPhone users in the EU can download apps directly from the developer’s website. This change is expected to be part of iOS 17.5. Here’s what Apple said in an announcement on its development blog:
“Web Distribution, available with a software update later this spring, will allow authorized developers to distribute their iOS apps to users in the EU directly from a developer-owned website. Apple will give authorized developers access to APIs that make it easy to distribute their apps from the web, integrate with system functions, back up and restore user apps, and more. “
Choose your own browser
The biggest change that European users can take advantage of right now is choosing their own browser. After updating to iOS 17.4, Apple will ask what their favorite browser is. The list is random and shows the 15 most downloaded browsers.
Although some users would rather stick with Safari, downloads of Brave Browser and other options have increased as more users have started to try different options. Personally, I think this is one of the best iPhone features available to European users.
Third party NFC access
Although third-party companies have not yet taken advantage of this, Apple has opened up access to third-party NFC usage. Apple has agreed to allow third-party apps to make contactless payments on iOS devices for free without using Apple Pay or Apple Wallet.
Here’s what Apple says: “Through our ongoing discussions with the European Commission, we have offered commitments to provide third-party developers in the European Economic Area with an option to enable their users to make NFC contactless payments within their iOS apps, separate from Apple Pay and Apple Wallet .”
This means that Samsung could offer its own wallet, for example, at no additional cost to users. It’s unclear if a third-party developer will actually take advantage of this feature. But it is an option for iPhone users in Europe.