Apple to Allow iPad Users in EU to Download Apps From Third-Party App Stores From September 16

[MacRumors]

Apple has announced it will allow iPad apps to be sold via third-party app stores in the European Union from Monday, September 16, coinciding with the release of iPadOS 18.

The move follows Apple's tolerance in the bloc for alternative app stores on iPhones, which happened earlier this year in compliance with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Apple's iPad operating system was designated by the European Commission as a "core platform service" in April under the rules of the DMA, joining iOS, the App Store, and Safari.

Although iPadOS user numbers fell below the threshold for inclusion under the DMA, the Commission retains some flexibility in its designations and noted significant lock-in effects, especially for business users. The Commission gave Apple six months to update iPadOS and make it compliant with the DMA. Apple later confirmed that it would bring all of the app ecosystem changes made to iOS in the European Union to iPadOS in the fall.

After installing iPadOS 18, iPad users in the EU will be able to install alternative app stores, while developers will be able to release alternative browsers based on their own browser engines, instead of Apple's WebKit.

Currently there are a handful of third-party app marketplaces available to iPhone users in the EU. One of them, Epic Games, has already said that it plans to bring Fortnite and its other games to iPad. Other enforced changes include allowing users to delete Apple's pre-loaded apps, and choose alternative default apps, including browsers.

Article Link: Apple to Allow iPad Users in EU to Download Apps From Third-Party App Stores From September 16

 

[Mac mini power user]

These changes might make even more sense for the iPad than the iPhone, given the constraints posed imposed by iPadOS on the hardware. However, we'll have to see to which extent these alternative App Stores will provide useful software for iPad.

 

[mrat93]

I’d choose this over iOS 18 and AI.

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

Worldwide plz k thx bye

EDIT: I hope these laugh reactions are because the post is funny, because it’s definitely correct.

 

[I7guy]

I’d choose this over iOS 18 and AI.

Bring windows to iPad in the eu.

 

[sw1tcher]

Makes sense to allow alternative app store for the iPad as well. Silly to prevent an iPhone user who has 3rd party apps and wants to continue doing whatever they're doing (e.g. playing a game) on a larger screen device (their iPad) and can't because Apple said no, but they can on a Mac.

 

[antiprotest]

How does this relate to Google now trying to block people from side loading? What's happening there?

Edit: Thanks to @Stromos for answering my question (https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...tores-from-september-16.2436183/post-33391547).

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I’d choose this over iOS 18 and AI.

I'd choose a old-school flip phone over AI.

 

[Stromos]

How does this relate to Google now trying to block people from side loading? What's happening there?

Google isn't blocking people from side loading. Google is allowing developers to block people from side loading their app. Something Apple should do as well so this new Appstore change doesn't turn into a piracy/snapchatplus fiasco.

 

[omenatarhuri]

I’d choose this over iOS 18 and AI.

I'd choose AI and iPhone mirroring over this 🤷‍♂️

 

[Villarrealadrian]

It would be great to also let us install linux on iphones and ipads apple doesnt want to keep updating

 

[Macusercom]

People bashing the EU on how they suppress Apple in 3, 2, 1,...

 

[aknabi]

Bring windows to iPad in the eu.

I'd be cool with even LinuxPadOS... this would give me the excuse to jump on an M4 iPad Pro with all the TBs and GBs

 

[Harry Haller]

I'd choose AI and iPhone mirroring over this 🤷‍♂️

Choice is a wonderful thing, isn’t it?

 

[Apleeseed84]

My iPad Pro just became the ultimate Palm Treo now LOL

 

[ifxf]

How does this relate to Google now trying to block people from side loading? What's happening there?

Edit: Thanks to @Stromos for answering my question (https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...tores-from-september-16.2436183/post-33391547).

Google is just providing a mechanism to allow app owners from allowing side loading of their apps. This is an anti-piracy initiative not banning side loading.

 

[bunty]

I wonder what effect it would have on the EU laws relevance to Apple if Apple just sold a straight-up linux mobile phone running something like Tizen, even in their physical stores in the EU. I wonder if the EU would back off any.

 

[stinksroundhere]

Only 0.00001% of users give AF and most of them are people into piracy, tinfoil websites and V for Vendetta memes.

 

[marcosscriven]

Only 0.00001% of users give AF and most of them are people into piracy, tinfoil websites and V for Vendetta memes.

And you care so little of course, you couldn’t help but reply…

 

[stinksroundhere]

And you care so little of course, you couldn’t help but reply…

Don't get triggered on the internets.

 

[User 6502]

I wonder what effect it would have on the EU laws relevance to Apple if Apple just sold a straight-up linux mobile phone running something like Tizen, even in their physical stores in the EU. I wonder if the EU would back off any.

It would have no effect whatsoever. Why would the EU care about what Apple sells or doesn’t sell, as long as it complies with the law?

 

[burgman]

I'd choose an old-school flip phone over AI.

My old Motorola Razr in desk drawer agrees

 

[burgman]

And you care so little of course, you couldn’t help but reply…

Me thinks you don’t understand what he posted

 

[Mikep976]

Queue comments stating this change causing the world to implode, peoples first born being taken by the EU, and the sky catching fire comments because many will be able to load any software on Hw THEY own.

 

[contacos]

So far there is hardly any change whatsoever. No Browsers that don't use Apples engine if I am not mistaken and like 3 apps at those alternative stores.

All the privacy concerns over nothing