iPhone users in the EU will soon be able to use crowdfunding site Patreon to pay for apps directly through third-party App Store AltStore, according to a TechCrunch interview with developer Riley Testut.
This option was added to help smaller developers cover Apple’s core technology fee. This fee comes as part of Apple’s compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) introduced by the EU. This makes it so that developers will pay €0.50 per annual install for apps that manage more than a million downloads per year through a third-party store. This has led to concerns about bankruptcy for smaller developers, who could suddenly become a hit with users and find themselves owing Apple a large amount of money.
However, AltStore plans to help smaller developers cover the cost of Apple’s core technology fee by allowing developers to use Patreon’s integration feature to better market and monetize their apps directly to consumers. Testut shared screenshots in Threads of the version of the App Store that will be offered in the EU.
Posted by @rileytestut
Look at Threads
AltStore will officially launch in the EU with two apps, the Nintendo emulator Delta, which will be available for free, and the clipboard manager Clip, which will require a $1 or more donation on Patreon. AltStore also plans to offer Beta versions of both apps soon after release, which will require a $3/month pledge to use.
Reportedly, the plan is to allow developers to distribute their apps through the storefront as soon as AltStore is up and running properly. Testut argued that this will create a new business model for applications that would not have been allowed without the DMA coming into effect. The advantage for smaller developers is that it offers a way to monetize their apps while avoiding Apple’s 15% to 30% commission.
It should be noted that Apple is currently under pressure from the EU due to the changes it has made. There are reports that the EU is currently unhappy and is investigating the company to confirm that the changes comply with the DMA. Apple is also fighting a court battle against the US Department of Justice over an alleged monopoly over the iPhone.
According to Testut, AltStore is ready to launch, but is awaiting approval from Apple before it can do so.