Apple will reportedly allow third-party App Stores on iOS following change in EU law

Since the iPhone's inception, Apple has taken a ‘walled garden' approach to iOS, blocking methods for side-loading content and banning third-party app stores. However, due to changes to EU law, Apple is now forced to rethink this approach and is reportedly preparing to allow third-party app stores on iOS for the first time. 

While side-loading features do exist on iOS, there are restrictions in place as this is primarily reserved for software developers that need to test their apps. According to Bloomberg, Apple is preparing huge changes that will allow side-loading, in addition to third-party app stores. This in turn should also help Apple avoid additional battles with regulators over the dominance of the iOS App Store.

The change is happening in response to the EU's Digital Markets Act, which will go into effect in 2024. The law states that users must be allowed to install third-party apps. Apple did try to fight against this, claiming that enabling third-party app stores and content side loading would pose a security risk to iOS users.

This is something that companies like Microsoft and Epic Games will be paying close attention to. Epic Games famously sued Apple after Fortnite was removed from the App Store due to a change that allowed users to pay for content through a different provider, thus circumventing the ‘Apple Tax' imposed when using Apple's own payment system to make purchases. With the EU's new law going into effect, Epic will be able to ship its own version of the Epic Games Store on iOS.

Microsoft will also be looking at this to produce an Xbox Store for mobile devices. Microsoft wanted to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to iOS natively but due to Apple's tight restrictions, the company had to settle for a web-based solution using Safari. If Apple does allow third-party app stores, Microsoft will be able to ship its own Xbox Games Store for iOS and Android.

Apple has other changes to make in 2024, as another EU law will also force the company to move away from its proprietary Lightning port to USB-C for charging. It is unclear if Apple will introduce these changes to iOS devices sold outside of the EU.

KitGuru Says: Do you think the introduction of third-party App Stores and content side-loading will be good for iOS? 

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