Sources: Apple plans to allow third-party app stores on iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 in the EU, due to EU requirements in 2024, including letting users change defaults

Apple Inc. is preparing to allow alternative app stores on its iPhones and iPads, part of a sweeping overhaul aimed at complying …

Bloomberg 2022-12-14 Mark Gurman

Context & Ripple Effects

This early report outlined Apple’s expected EU response before the implementation details emerged. Subsequent coverage shows Apple pairing alternative distribution with app notarization and malware scanning and a Web Distribution route for qualifying developers.

The platform scope also became a moving target: iPadOS was initially outside the changes, then the EU’s later designation led Apple to extend alternative stores and browser engines to iPads in the iPadOS 18 rollout.

First-order effects

Apple’s planned EU changes would give iPhone and iPad users a choice of app distribution channels and default apps rather than routing those decisions solely through Apple’s store and preset software.
Developers serving the EU gain prospective paths to reach users outside the App Store, while Apple must administer the access, default-setting, and platform-safety rules.

Second-order effects

Alternative stores do not remove Apple from distribution governance: the later notarization plan keeps Apple’s malware-review process attached to apps distributed through third-party storefronts.
Web Distribution gives qualifying developers an additional direct channel, making storefront competition only one part of the shift away from a single App Store route.

Third-order effects

The iPadOS reversal shows EU platform obligations can expand as products fall within regulatory scope, requiring Apple to adapt distribution rules product by product.
If this model persists, mobile distribution in the EU will be defined by regulated interoperability with Apple retaining safety controls, rather than by a fully open platform.

The trend: EU requirements are pushing Apple from exclusive App Store distribution toward controlled multi-channel app access, with compliance scope expanding across devices.

Discussion

@markgurman Mark Gurman on x
New story: Apple is preparing to allow alternative app stores and side-loading on iOS — along with a slew of other changes to make the iPhone more open — in response to new European Union requirements arriving in 2024. https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@markgurman Mark Gurman on x
If similar laws are passed in additional countries, Apple's project could lay the groundwork for other regions. But the company's changes are designed initially to just go into effect in Europe.
@markgurman Mark Gurman on x
Changes would also come to NFC chip and camera access, Find My network for rivals to the AirTag, web browsing engines and other areas of Apple's software. The company still plans to charge developers for access to iOS even with side loading.
@timsweeneyepic Possibly Tim Sweeney on x
Mark Gurman, writing for Bloomberg, says Apple is preparing to open iOS to competing app stores - but only in Europe. This would leave American developers in serfdom in the nation where Apple was founded. Congress must pass the Open Apps Market Act! https://twitter.com/...
@briannawu Brianna Wu on x
I'm overwhelmingly for regulating tech. But the outcome of this is going to devastate privacy and infosec in the Apple ecosystem. This is a terrible move that's going to have a real price for consumers in terms of spyware and a larger attack surface. https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@albertwenger Albert Wenger on x
Now let's pass the Open App Markets Act https://www.congress.gov/... https://twitter.com/...
@sirjoeldean Joel Dean on x
I never expected this to happen. Case studies will be written on how these changes are implemented by Apple. The EU doesn't play at all. https://twitter.com/...
@vitalwinter @vitalwinter on x
This is huge. This article implies that Roblox might be able to avoid appstore fees, which it currently bleeds more money to than it puts towards engineering. https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@benedictevans Benedict Evans on x
Two second-order questions: would Apple do this outside the EU, snd, how much would developer and consumer behaviour actually change. https://twitter.com/...
@davcarretta David Carretta on x
Dma in action. https://twitter.com/...
@joannastern Joanna Stern on x
“The iPhone EU—comes with USB C and the ability to load third-party app stores. We think you're going to... love it.” https://twitter.com/...
@cubicleapril April King on x
if we don't count twitter, this might be the biggest tech news this year: https://twitter.com/...
@jtseo9 @jtseo9 on x
Say what you want, but the EU is the only place bringing real change to these monopolies. If they can force Apple to allow sideloading then Apple users will finally own their phones. The EU already killed the cable scam. https://twitter.com/...
@nasescobar316 Nas on x
This should happen in America as well, we are Apple's biggest market with $170 BILLION in sales during the last fiscal year. We need politicians who will put pressure on Big Tech so that consumers have more options & small businesses can thrive. Europe is protecting it's own. htt…
@gabrielleydon Gabriel Leydon on x
iOS 3rd party app stores? Could there be an explosion of web3 games on mobile next year?! 😎 https://www.theverge.com/...
@sandeepssrin Sandeep Srinivasa on x
This is huge. Apple is allowing sideload of alternative app stores on iPhones. This is incredible and allows for new browsers on the iOS store. https://twitter.com/...

Chronicles