Apple Updates App Store Guidelines to Permit Game Emulators, Website Links in EU Music Apps

[MacRumors]

Apple today updated its App Store guidelines to comply with an anti-steering mandate levied by the European Commission. Music streaming apps like Spotify are now permitted to include a link or buy button that leads to a website with information about alternative music purchasing options, though this is only permitted in the European Economic Area.

Music Streaming Services Entitlements: music streaming apps in specific regions can use Music Streaming Services Entitlements to include a link (which may take the form of a buy button) to the developer's website that informs users of other ways to purchase digital music content or services. These entitlements also permit music streaming app developers to invite users to provide their email address for the express purpose of sending them a link to the developer's website to purchase digital music content or services. Learn more about these entitlements.

In accordance with the entitlement agreements, the link may inform users about where and how to purchase those in-app purchase items, and the price of such items. The entitlements are limited to use only in the iOS or iPadOS App Store in specific storefronts. In all other storefronts, streaming music apps and their metadata may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase.

The European Commission in March fined Apple $2 billion for anti-competitive conduct against rival music streaming services. The fine also came with a requirement that Apple "remove the anti-steering provisions" from its App Store rules, which Apple has now done. Apple is restricted from repeating the infringement or adopting similar practices in the future, though it is worth noting that Apple plans to appeal the decision.

Apple has accused Spotify of manipulating the European Commission to get the rules of the App Store rewritten in its favor. "They want to use Apple's tools and technologies, distribute on the App Store, and benefit from the trust we've built with users - and pay Apple nothing for it," Apple complained following the ruling.

In addition to updating its streaming music rules, Apple today also added games from retro game console emulator apps to the list of permitted software allowable under guideline 4.7. Guideline 4.7 permits apps to offer HTML5 mini apps and mini games, streaming games, chatbots, game emulators, and plug-ins.

Apps may offer certain software that is not embedded in the binary, specifically HTML5 mini apps and mini games, streaming games, chatbots, and plug-ins. Additionally, retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games. You are responsible for all such software offered in your app, including ensuring that such software complies with these Guidelines and all applicable laws.

Game emulators have managed to sneak onto the App Store several times over the years by using hidden functionality, but Apple has not explicitly permitted them until now. The rule change that allows for game emulators is worldwide, as is support for apps that offer mini apps and mini games.

Article Link: Apple Updates App Store Guidelines to Permit Game Emulators, Website Links in EU Music Apps

 

[Spock]

Game emulators has been something that I have missed from my days of Android, I think that will be a fun addition. I am shocked that Apple will allow it to be honest.

 

[zorinlynx]

Wow. This is the biggest reason I want to sideload. If this is for real and not still restricted somehow, this will be big!

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

but the assumption is that most game emulators still won’t be allowed due to copyright law, correct?

 

[cthompson94]

but the assumption is that most game emulators still won’t be allowed due to copyright law, correct?

Most will be okay just as you can easily get basically any emulator you want online and the sources haven't been taken down. Nothing wrong with being emulation just as torrent clients won't be taken down... but let any of these contain just one copywriter game (which they wouldn't)

 

[oofio2461]

Wow, thought I would never see the day emulators would be allowed on ios, Dolphin Emu on iPad would be the dream. (Although I wonder if Apple considers the cutoff for retro emulators, there's no way that Apple would allow a Switch emulator on the app store.)

 

[Spock]

but the assumption is that most game emulators still won’t be allowed due to copyright law, correct?

Most of the time, the emulator is not in violation, it is obtaining ROMS that creates the issues.

 

[sleeptodream]

has hell frozen over?

 

[markfc]

I’d prefer them open up the network API’s so we can have a decent WiFi Scanning / Testing app.

 

[zorinlynx]

Most of the time, the emulator is not in violation, it is obtaining ROMS that creates the issues.

Well that's just it. If the emulator doesn't come with ROMs, then it's really not Apple's problem if the end user manages to find some. Just like it's not Apple's problem when people use emulators on the Mac.

 

[Lyrics23]

Good to see the regulations working as intended.

With even the threat of possible competition offering something Apple don’t, seeing Apple open up their app store to new categories of apps is a step in the right direction. Competition based on merit, not market dominance.

Edit: and worldwide implementation as a bonus; likely because they don’t want the publicity of decently regulated markets having exclusive access to things unavailable elsewhere.

 

[mrat93]

Wowwwww so all of the excuses for no emulators have been nonsense all along? Who’da thunk?

 

[vertsix]

Wait, I don't want to hype myself up.

Are the emulator changes worldwide or just EU only? The article doesn't specify.

 

[foobarbaz]

Only music streaming apps. Leave it to Apple to try and satisfy regulators with the narrowest possible margin.

 

[Madmic23]

Just the idea of competition is making things better already, this is great! I just need an SNES emulator for iPhone, iPad and AppleTV now.

 

[9059737]

This is not going to be accepted by the European Commission, and the next fine will be much higher.

Apple is still dictating when, how and where developers are allowed to communicate and transact with customers, including by not allowing the use of buttons, and demanding that developers show a scare screen (all the other apps that use alternative payment systems to sell physical goods don't have to show a scare screen).

 

[mystery hill]

They should also allow torrent clients, and virtualization apps like VMware Fusion and Parallels.

 

[mrat93]

Wait, I don't want to hype myself up.

Are the emulator changes worldwide or just EU only? The article doesn't specify.

I assumed EU only as well, but the link in the article doesn’t seem to be EU specific, and even has an icon for clauses which are applicable to EU. I think this might be worldwide, but, like you, I don’t want to hype myself up.

 

[gsurf123]

Game emulators seem to go against the IP holders of the games since the ROMs are readily available with no way for the owners to be paid. They are created knowing the users will use ROMs they are not entitled to use. There is a reason emulators do not come with games, except manufacturers who have licensed the ROMs from the IP owner.

 

[DunedinD]

Wow, thought I would never see the day emulators would be allowed on ios, Dolphin Emu on iPad would be the dream. (Although I wonder if Apple considers the cutoff for retro emulators, there's no way that Apple would allow a Switch emulator on the app store.)

Dolphin specifically is highly unlikely to happen. It never made it to Steam.

 

[titanium_man]

Apple realised everyone will download alternate app stores just to play retro games on iPhone with emulators.

 

[OnePieceIsReal]

Most of the time, the emulator is not in violation, it is obtaining ROMS that creates the issues.

Not even obtaining it , as it’s legal to do so even with Nintendo bs on decryption; it’s the sharing of roms and distribution that makes it a legal issue

 

[TheColtr]

I assumed EU only as well, but the link in the article doesn’t seem to be EU specific, and even has an icon for clauses which are applicable to EU. I think this might be worldwide, but, like you, I don’t want to hype myself up.

It would appear to be worldwide. I checked the developer guidelines it's there with no apparent restrictions. Whereas the music streaming entitlement says "Music Streaming Services Entitlements: music streaming apps in specific regions can use Music Streaming Services Entitlements to include a link (which may take the form of a buy button) to the developer’s website that informs users of other ways to purchase digital music content or services."

There is nothing in the emulator guidelines that says its only for specific regions or has clear geographical regions.

 

[TheColtr]

Apple realised everyone will download alternate app stores just to play retro games on iPhone with emulators.

This! Speaking from my own experience, almost every app I have ever tried to side load was an emulator, and so letting emulators in the App Store releases a lot of the demand associated with side loading. If I can get emulators on the iPhone, I wonder how interested I would be if/when side loading becomes available in the US.

 

[nathansz]

Would this allow provenance for tvOS on the App Store?

Or even better, an open emu tvOS app?!?

Provenance is great but it can be a pain resigning every week