These Are the Countries Where You Can Install Apps Outside of the iOS App Store

[alchemistmuffin]

Apple is obviously not going to expand this unless forced to with legislation. And the US will never pass legislation like this. Too bad.

Unless the DOJ decides to sue Apple for anticompetitive behavior like they are planning on doing so.

Either way, Steve Jobs is probably so irate right now in heaven that Cooks caved to EU. If he was alive, would’ve spun off iPhone business so Apple would have no business in doing so to protect not just Apple’s image but also Steve Job’s legacy and image.

 

[PommeFruits]

Why are these newer grocery stores opening up down the street from the only place I've been able to shop for 16 years? I don't want to go there and no one else should be able to either!

 

[hans1972]

Find myself wondering if there are people who buy macs and refuse to install anything unless it's through the app store. Seems that might well be the case from some comments here.

No, but I wish the Mac App Store had every app for the Mac!

iOS was the only place in my life where I had only one store to deal with and at the same time having access to everything.

macOS, real life -> multiple stores.

 

[MrRom92]

How does this work if I fly to Europe? Can I install alternative apps while I am there?

 

[RemedyRabbit]

But we don't want an open system like Windows and macOS for our very mobile devices.

We want something even better which iOS was in many regards such as just ONE App Store and just ONE place to find applications and just ONE company to deal with for payment, etc.

Installing software on the Mac is a nightmare compared to iOS.

I've been installing software on my various macs for 20 years now and have never had any issue at all. Paying for things online is easy, I do it on my mac all the time. It's going to be fine.

 

[alchemistmuffin]

Given Apple's concerns over user privacy and security, the company is unlikely to implement similar changes worldwide without being forced to by similar legislation from other countries.

Unless Apple planned to put this on iOS 18 as major changes since its planned to have total overhaul on security but giving EU a head start with iOS 17.4 as test run to see how it goes.

Apple plans to release iOS 17.4 in March.

Around the same time as new iPads and iMacs. I presume the EU build of iOS 17.4 will probably be different.

 

[NagasakiGG]

Me too. I have a UK account which is my main one, but I live in France so I have a French one for stuff only available in the French AppStore.

It’s a ballache to swap between them, and I have everything aside a few apps tied to my UK account. But I live in the EU. So 🤷

Edit: I’m hoping it’s just a simple case of updating to 17.4 logged in with my French Apple ID, and then just switching back to my UK one when it’s done.

You know that you can easily swap stores, load apps and then change back to your “mainland” country, your apps will still be there. On my Swiss AppleID I got apps of almost half EU, Asia and about 6000 songs and a few films I purchased on Turkish store. Just fyi

edit: just be sure that you dont have any subscription such as AppleTV, Music etc (AC+ is ok) active.

 

[iOS Geek]

You don't


still possible

And based on the very low percentage of Android users who side load, it’s clear that the majority of users don’t want it either. Wasn’t it something like less than 1% of Android users side load? If that’s the case, I think it’s clear that the consumers DON’T actually want it.

 

[RemedyRabbit]

Of course the changes are going to affect me.

Just give you a hint: Safari on the Mac.

Try to think about that one for a moment.

Nope sorry you've lost me there.

 

[hans1972]

There’s such a disconnected argument here for the walled garden approach. No one is forcing you outside the App Store. You can keep your phone the way you want and stay within the ‘garden’. Others simply want to be able to do more with their device.

No one is forcing us, but we might have to make a choice between

1) getting the app we want and downloading an alternate store and register

or

2) not getting the app


Today I just choose

3) Getting the app from the App Store

So you might argue there are apps which Apple won't accept. Yes, but I'm not interested in those, so gaining access to them won't benefit me.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Tonight we celebrate with our Bulgarian Apple IDs 🥂

 

[AnsweringHans]

And based on the very low percentage of Android users who side load, it’s clear that the majority of users want it either. Wasn’t it something like less than 1% of Android users side load? If that’s the case, I think it’s clear that the consumers DON’T actually want it.

There is still plenty that want it, others might not want it or don't know it is possible (we don't know if they don't want it). Non the less, want is the reason not to have an option for those who do other than fanboying Tim Cook?

So you might argue there are apps which Apple won't accept. Yes, but I'm not interested in those, so gaining access to them won't benefit me.

So because of your selfishness, everybody else must suffer?

And apps and websites have come and gone, if an app chooses to leave the app store there are others that do something similar, or new alternatives will arise.

And if it doesn't, maybe Apple's terms and commissions should be questioned (which they suddenly managed to drop significantly).

 

[hans1972]

Yes, was a bit disappointed that they still haven't put it into law yet, but they seem to stand rather positive towards it if I read the messaging from Regjeringen and EEA EFTA.

I hope I can use my EU Apple ID in the mean time.

Very little has happened in the last year.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Cue all the Americans touting how good and safe they are without the scary, "no security, all malware" E.U. side-loading.

Well, there's nothing for you to worry about or comment on as you don't have any choice other than the one Apple profits the most from.

Teasing aside. Side-loading is no more unsafe or capable of "breaking" your device than putting apps on your Mac that you didn't install from the Mac App Store.

Don't act like you only install what's available on the Mac App Store and never touch third-party apps. Or, at the very least, admit that you take it for granted that you could if you wanted to.

More than one choice is always superior.

First USB-C (enforced by the E.U.) on all iPhones 15 and beyond, worldwide implementation. Now side-loading for Europeans.

Two wins in a row for the E.U. -Better Apple products for everyone! 🇪🇺🎉👏

 

[hans1972]

You don't


still possible

Not if you want access to every app for iOS as a consumer.

Yes you'll finally be able to drop it for Firefox!

But I don't want to use Firefox since it's not as integrated with iOS and MacOS as Safari.
And the user interface is more Firefox-like than Mac-like.

 

[RemedyRabbit]

You won't be able to use JUST the App Store if some of those alternative application stores have an application you want.

Today, the developers would most likely be forced to use the App Store. Now developers have choices, which is a bad thing.

You'll be able to choose not to install those apps if you wish 🙂

Besides it's not going to be in anyone's interest, especially not Apple's, to make it difficult to install apps.

Similarly, reputable developers of good apps are not going to release those apps with malware in. Would be a somewhat terrible business move.

Developers having choices is nothing but good news, if Apple want to ensure they're attracting and retaining the best apps they'll have to compete for their business. This is how a market should work.

 

[Luis Ortega]

Thanks Brexit!!

Who asked for this rubbish.... Id rather keep my phone secure thanks.

So who’s stopping you? Why do you care what others do on their phones?

 

[hans1972]

Still better than not having that application you want in any store.

No. I would still prefer to have only one App Store even if it meant loosing some apps.

Also, I can't think of any app I would want on my mobile phone which wouldn't be allowed in the App Store.

In fact, I want even more censure from Apple and even more restrictions on quality and choice. We don't need 10 browser in the App Store. For me one is enough as long as it's Safari.

 

[hans1972]

Why are these newer grocery stores opening up down the street from the only place I've been able to shop for 16 years? I don't want to go there and no one else should be able to either!

It's just an example how real life is worse than iOS until now.

Think about the convenience how having just one store for all your needs?
I don't have as much problem with additional store as long as the App Store has all the apps which are in those additional app stores.

 

[AnsweringHans]

No. I would still prefer to have only one App Store even if it meant loosing some apps.

Also, I can't think of any app I would want on my mobile phone which wouldn't be allowed in the App Store.

In fact, I want even more censure from Apple and even more restrictions on quality and choice. We I don't need 10 browser in the App Store. For me one is enough as long as it's Safari.

Emphasis mine

I want even more censure from Apple

Those Norwegian prisons must be really good!

 

[Blue Hawk]

Thanks Brexit 🙄🙄

Well that happens when they say yes to Brexit

 

[PommeFruits]

And based on the very low percentage of Android users who side load, it’s clear that the majority of users don’t want it either. Wasn’t it something like less than 1% of Android users side load? If that’s the case, I think it’s clear that the consumers DON’T actually want it.

You keep saying this without a single source but it's still not a valid argument.

 

[LeeW]

Now developers have choices, which is a bad thing.

Lol. So what this comes down to is fear. Fear that an app you use withdraws from the Apple App Store. Sure, that could happen. The likely outcome is that the app will still be available there, just available somewhere else, and it may offer something different. The developer has choices; you have options.

 

[bluecoast]

Thanks Brexit 🙄🙄

Everyone who voted for brexit used an android phone. Fact. Probably.

Tbh they all had house landline phones only.

 

[hans1972]

TSo because of your selfishness, everybody else must suffer?

And apps and websites have come and gone, if an app chooses to leave the app store there are others that do something similar, or new alternatives will arise.

And if it doesn't, maybe Apple's terms and commissions should be questioned (which they suddenly managed to drop significantly).

Not everyone, just those who disagree with me and want iOS to be different than it has been for over 10 years. You want the changes. I just want it to be like before.

It's not easy if one those apps are something like Instagram where it's a specific service you want.

Of course, developers don't like Apple commissions.

Here is something you haven't thought of: I consider all developers and programmers to be evil and my enemy until proven otherwise. They can do so much wrong to you. I like they're treated by Apple as second class citizens with little power. They were forced to use the App Store or go out of business.

Now, they have gained power and their power might cause me inconvenience. I don't like that.