With iOS 17.4, Apple opened the iPhone operating system on Tuesday to meet the new requirements of the Digital Markets Act in Europe. Sideloading or the option to install alternative app marketplaces remains clearly limited to customers in the European Union – and to the iPhone. Apple doesn't currently have to open the iPad, but that could still change.
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Transition period for iPhone marketplaces outside the EU
In order to enter app marketplaces and then be able to download apps outside of Apple's app stores, users must be physically located in one of the 27 EU member states, as the company announced. On top of that, the region of the Apple ID used must be assigned to one of these countries. The current location is only recorded locally on the iPhone and is not collected by Apple, the document states. The group only receives an “indicator of qualification”. Apple leaves open how the location is technically determined.
For short trips to non-EU countries, alternative app marketplaces should continue to function, but only within a “transitional period”. If this expires, the alternative app stores will lose functions, writes Apple. New marketplaces can then no longer be installed. Apps obtained from the App Store alternatives will continue to work, but will no longer receive updates from the respective marketplace. How long this transition period is remains unanswered for the time being.
Possible problems for users and developers
In any case, EU users should be prepared for problems on longer trips abroad. The support effort is likely to increase for developers, as this is where inquiries from angry customers who no longer receive updates are likely to end up. It is still unclear how reliably Apple's location determination ultimately works – for example near the Swiss border.
It is currently surprising that the update description text for iOS 17.4 shows a reference to the alternative app marketplaces for some users – but not for others, even though they are obviously located in an EU country.
(lbe)