Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,540
39,386


Apple today released the first beta of iOS 17.5 to developers, and as expected, the update introduces support for downloading apps from developer websites in the European Union.

Apple-EU-iOS-Changes.jpg

In iOS 17.4, Apple began allowing developers to offer their apps through alternative app marketplaces in the European Union to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Apple initially intended for apps to only be available through these marketplaces, but in March, Apple said that it would in fact be adding support for downloading apps directly from websites.

To offer an app for download from a website in the European Union, developers need to meet specific criteria. Developers need to be a member of the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more and must have an app with more than one million first installs on iOS in the European Union in the prior year. Other requirements include submitting to Apple's notarization process and publishing transparent data collection policies.

Apple will provide authorized developers with an API that allows them to offer their apps for download via the web. Apps downloaded this way will be able to be backed up, restored, updated, and more.

This is the first time that Apple has sanctioned downloading an app directly from a website. Support for this feature will allow apps like Spotify, Fortnite, and others to be downloaded directly on iPhones should the developers behind those apps opt in to Apple's terms.

Apps offered through the web do not have to pay any commission to Apple, but they are subject to the 0.50 euro Core Technology Fee.

As with alternative app marketplaces, app downloads from the web are available in the European Union only under the terms of the DMA. Note that apps can only be downloaded this way on the iPhone as the changes do not apply to the iPad.

Article Link: iOS 17.5 Lets EU iPhone Users Download Apps From Websites
 
terrible UX. no thanks.

glad Apple is doing the 0.50 euro fee. developers should not be freeloading off the hard work Apple has done to make this possible.
Why stop there, they should charge 0.50 euro fee per visit to macrumors.com. Websites shouldn't be allowed to freeload off the hard work Apple has done to make visiting websites possible.
 
Now people in the EU can download apps with spyware and viruses in them, then get mad at Apple when their Apple ID stuff is stolen. Ill stick to the App Store myself.
Apps can already include spyware, just called “usage statistics”, lol. Remember how a few months ago was discovered that Instagram embedded JavaScript in their in app Safari browser to check what were you doing there.

Also difficult to steal things from outside the sandbox. You could steal contacts and photos, but again, you can do that from an App Store app too.
 
I got a new device yesterday. Essentially, a tablet that runs Android 12. Overall, it's fun. It's pretty cool that I can go to the Play Store and download apps to it from a different device and stuff like that.

By that night, however, I had this haunting feeling that this Chinese-made device and all the pre-installed apps may just have a security risk. Moments later, I downloaded Bitdefender and ran it. It says it's all good? But I still can't shake this uneasy feeling about it. Especially when I've already installed Bitwarden and whatnot on it.

Being a mostly Apple user, I've never had to really worry about it. I assume Google has the system locked down well enough that maybe there isn't as much risk? But again, I really just don't know. It's not that I've side-loaded, it's just how can I trust the device manufacturer and the shovelware?
 
This has the potential to cause numerous security issues... I think on this one the EU should have tread much more careful. I think it was well intentioned, but has the potential to result in a hot security mess.

The official App Store, although not perfect by any means, is the safest option.

You just can't have that same safety when you can download an app off any website...
 
I got a new device yesterday. Essentially, a tablet that runs Android 12. Overall, it's fun. It's pretty cool that I can go to the Play Store and download apps to it from a different device and stuff like that.

By that night, however, I had this haunting feeling that this Chinese-made device and all the pre-installed apps may just have a security risk. Moments later, I downloaded Bitdefender and ran it. It says it's all good? But I still can't shake this uneasy feeling about it. Especially when I've already installed Bitwarden and whatnot on it.

Being a mostly Apple user, I've never had to really worry about it. I assume Google has the system locked down well enough that maybe there isn't as much risk? But again, I really just don't know. It's not that I've side-loaded, it's just how can I trust the device manufacturer and the shovelware?
I think its increasingly difficult to know who to trust.

Best thing to do is ONLY visit websites and App stores you know and trust. Anything new, proceed with extreme caution.
 
Well Apple let Facebook place an app masquerading as a VPN that spied on other apps.
Just goes to show that you have to be aware... even on Apple Store. It's the safest option by far... but quality, and security... well those things are not 100% guaranteed.

But far better than any old website or unofficial store...

Who will compensate you and fix things if it goes wrong :/
 
Why stop there, they should charge 0.50 euro fee per visit to macrumors.com. Websites shouldn't be allowed to freeload off the hard work Apple has done to make visiting websites possible.
terrible take.
Apple made Safari free since the beginning. Safari is funded by the device purchase.

Apple didn't make native apps downloaded from web free on iOS since the beginning and native app tools+services are funded by dev program and App Store profits. dev program alone isn't enough to cover the expenses.
 
I´m tired of the paternalism of the European Union, as if the user is stupid.
Do you prefer Apple’s paternalism instead then? The EU is trying to provide a choice: you can download from Apple’s App Store or from a developer’s website. That seems less paternalistic than Apple’s way. I will always choose to have a choice over being forced into a corporation’s way of doing things (and I’m no fan of the EU).
 
Not better than open source project though.
Ehh... yes? Open source at least allows others to look things over, but that doesn't mean that someone did and raised enough alarms to publicize it unsafe. Especially for small, new projects. When was the last time you looked into an open source project to actually see if someone raised an issue with it? Or even review the code yourself. Being "Open Source" could create a false sense of safety.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.