New iOS Release brings Expected Feature to Apple Devices: iPhone Users Happy!
New iOS Release brings Expected Feature to Apple Devices: iPhone Users Happy!
Apple succumbed to the DMA and released iOS 17.5 beta 2, which provides some flexibility to EU users. But there are still some conditions. Here are the details!
Today Apple released iOS 17.5 beta 2 to developers. The release marks the first time we’ve seen another feature that Apple was forced to add due to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Starting with iOS 17.5, iPhone users in the EU will be able to download apps without having to go to the App Store. This means they will be able to download apps from other sites instead of the official app store. In iOS 17.4, Apple started supporting alternative app stores with DMA.
Apple Still Maintains Some Rules
Apple’s new updates, which are not yet generally available, are currently only available to developers enrolled in the company’s Beta program. Users who want early access to these updates can visit the Apple Developer Center or the Software Updates page in their device’s Settings.
Under the EU Digital Markets Act, developers will now have access to third-party distributions. This will create a lot of flexibility in finding the apps you want. But Apple still has certain rules in place.
Developers who want to take advantage of the Web Distribution feature introduced with iOS 17.5 beta 2 must meet certain requirements. These include going through Apple’s approval process and being enrolled in Apple’s Developer Center program for at least two years.
In addition, apps that have received at least one million first installs on iOS devices in the previous year, and only in the European Union, will be eligible for download from the website. However, apps downloaded from websites will be able to be backed up, restored and updated just like any other app.
When iPhone users in the EU want to install such an app, they will be presented with a system window showing the app name, developer name, app description and screenshots. They will need to explicitly give that developer permission to install the apps.
The advantage of all this for developers is that they won’t have to pay Apple a cut of the sales of apps distributed on their websites. But that doesn’t mean they won’t pay anything.
