AltStore Available in Japan One Day After Apple Enables Alternative App Marketplaces

[MacRumors]

Just a day after Apple announced alternative app marketplace support for iOS users in Japan, AltStore PAL has launched in the country.

iPhone users in Japan can download the alternative app marketplace from the AltStore website, and then use the AltStore to download apps without having to go through Apple's App Store. Prospective AltStore users need to be physically located in Japan, and have a Japanese App Store account. Devices also need to be running iOS 26.2 or later.

AltStore developer Riley Testut said that Apple did not provide a heads up about the App Store rule changes that went into effect yesterday, but the marketplace was able to launch within a few hours because it has been live in the European Union for months now.

To celebrate AltStore PAL's launch in Japan, users can get a month of free Patreon access with patron-exclusive features. AltStore is free to download, but the AltStore Patreon provides access to beta updates for the popular Delta game emulator.

Along with Delta, AltStore PAL offers several other apps created by independent developers, some of which have functionality that's not allowed in the standard App Store. Apps distributed through AltStore PAL are able to monetize through Patreon subscriptions.

Apple is allowing alternative app marketplaces to meet the requirements of the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA) that went into effect on December 18. Marketplace apps are required to pay Apple a five percent Core Technology Commission.

Alternative app marketplaces require authorization from Apple to operate, and are able to distribute apps that have also been notarized by Apple. The notarization process checks for basic functionality and ensures that apps do not include malware, but marketplace apps are not subject to the same content requirements, and Apple has little content oversight.

Article Link: AltStore Available in Japan One Day After Apple Enables Alternative App Marketplaces

 

[I7guy]

This App Store model is probably going to expand to additional countries.

 

[jdavid_rp]

AltStore should do thematic wallpapers for every new country it gets available, like apple when opening apple stores 😂

 

[turbineseaplane]

Fantastic!

Riley is a great Dev.

Having followed his progress since the very start, before he even went to college, it's super impressive how far he has taken all this.

 

[tyranne201]

scam store

Why would u use that on a sensitive device that hold so much personal info today?

Even Apple Store can bypass some creepy apps, imagine that.

 

[firstcitazen]

the only country I would trust to allow alternative stores would be Japan, every other nation, it will turn into scam stores

 

[tyranne201]

AltStore PAL offers several other apps created by independent developers, some of which have functionality that's not allowed in the standard App Store.


Like tracking your location 24 hours.

Good luck.

 

[Mikegwald]

The USA is still missing out on third-party browsers and app stores, while the rest of the world seems to be moving forward and evolving iOS, leaving the USA behind..

 

[Unregistered 4U]

The USA is still missing out on third-party browsers and app stores, while the rest of the world seems to be moving forward and evolving iOS, leaving the USA behind..

This is great for the 18 folks that have a need for the 7 apps that are on the altstore. 🙂

 

[turbineseaplane]

This is great for the 18 folks that have a need for the 7 apps that are on the altstore. 🙂

I agree!
A day to celebrate for those looking for things like this!

 

[quietstormSD]

Jealous here in the US

 

[Art Mark]

Not sure this is anything that matters in any way. But it will be great for grifters, cons, apps that steal info, apps that don't work as promised and there's no way to get your money back. I mean, if you don't like your local electronic store there is always a shady guy in a van outside the roller rink who has computers too! And so much freedom, right? What's funny is - these stores will all pop up, and then go away. Probably taking a bunch of money they stole. Have fun!

 

[turbineseaplane]

Not sure this is anything that matters in any way. But it will be great for grifters, cons, apps that steal info, apps that don't work as promised and there's no way to get your money back. I mean, if you don't like your local electronic store there is always a shady guy in a van outside the roller rink who has computers too! And so much freedom, right? What's funny is - these stores will all pop up, and then go away. Probably taking a bunch of money they stole. Have fun!

So since the AltStore being available to those that want it "does not matter in any way", is all the rest of what you posted nothing to worry about then?

 

[Techwatcher]

So since the AltStore being available to those that want it "does not matter in any way", is all the rest of what you posted nothing to worry about then?

I agree with @Art Mark, having these other stores on a phone is silly.

 

[BGrifter]

We’re rapidly moving toward a world where NA gets the worst version of the iPhone. Very strange times.

 

[I7guy]

...

Additional choice from legitimate competition is great and fantastic. But this is taking someone’s business and hand waving it away via regulation.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I agree with @Art Mark, having these other stores on a phone is silly.

They.
Are.
Optional.

Choice is good folks.

 

[I7guy]

We’re rapidly moving toward a world where NA gets the worst version of the iPhone. Very strange times.

We’re rapidly moving toward a time when NA is getting the best and most secure version of the iPhone.

Choice is great when the choice is legitimate.

 

[Nermal]

I thought they used NTSC in Japan.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

We’re rapidly moving toward a world where NA gets the worst version of the iPhone. Very strange times.

We're already there for cars and fast food. Why not phones?

 

[turbineseaplane]

We're already there for cars and fast food. Why not phones?

This is basically an irrefutable point.

 

[BGrifter]

We’re rapidly moving toward a time when NA is getting the best and most secure version of the iPhone.

I dunno. I’m not really losing sleep about the security of my Mac.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I dunno. I’m really not losing sleep about the security of my Mac.

It would seem that folks paranoid about security outside iOS shouldn't even be using Macs.
Apparently Macs are really dangerous and risky since Apple doesn't control them as fully as iOS devices.

I don't know about everyone else, but I sync and use all the same data across all of my Apple devices, so naturally if one is really worried about one platform as the weak point (macOS in this case), should they even be using a Mac?

 

[WarmWinterHat]

We’re rapidly moving toward a time when NA is getting the best and most secure version of the iPhone.

Choice is great when the choice is legitimate.

Apple approved this store, and AltStore is an actual registered company.

Seems like a legitimate choice to me.

It would seem that folks paranoid about security outside iOS shouldn't even be using Macs.
Apparently Macs are really dangerous and risky since Apple doesn't control them as fully as iOS devices.

I don't know about everyone else, but I sync and use all the same data across all of my Apple devices, so naturally if one is really worried about one platform as the weak point (macOS in this case), should they even be using a Mac?

That’s a good point. I have vastly more sensitive and personal data on my Mac than my phone, and everything on my phone is also on my Mac, and all backed up to my Synology.

It must suck to live in fear.

 

[turbineseaplane]

That’s a good point. I have vastly more sensitive and personal data on my Mac than my phone, and everything on my phone is also on my Mac.

Seriously, the more I think about it ... other than exact location data when I'm out and about, there is basically nothing on my iPhone that's not on my Mac and vice versa (with even more stuff on my Mac due to it's much larger storage capacity).

If one believes only fully Apple controlled and sanctioned devices and Apps are safe, they should not be using a Mac.