In a news broadcast on the part of its site reserved for developers, Apple has just announced an extremely important change concerning users in the European Union.
We already knew that,since the release of iOS 17.4, all EU iPhones can install apps officiallyfrom other channels than via the native App Store. Except that for the moment, there are no third-party app stores available on the market.
But it should soon no longer be necessary to wait for these alternative solutions to arrive. Indeed, installing iOS applications from a website will be possiblebefore summer.
Installing iOS apps from the web: soon to be a reality
Developers will therefore be able to offer the download and installation of iOS applications from their official site. Subject, of course, to respecting the rules imposed by the Cupertino company for all those wanting to do without the in-house App Store.
Web Distribution, available with a software update later this spring, will let authorized developers distribute their iOS apps to EU users directly from a website owned by the developer.
In short, we would find an operation roughly similar to what we know on Mac under macOS. From your Apple computer, you can download apps from the Mac App Store. But if you wish, and especially for applications that are not present in the official store, you can also download installation files or other DMG.
But Tim Cook and his acolytes have done everything they can to dissuade developers from wanting to do without the App Store. Thus, by choosing an alternative channel, an iOS app developer could not necessarily experience significant financial gains. We therefore fear that few studios will take the path of independence (from the App Store) for the distribution of their application(s).
Even if, with this new possibility offered by Apple for distribution from the web,the App Store could really take a hit.
What do you say: would you be ready to install an iOS app from the web?
Editor-in-chief for iPhon.fr. Pierre is like Indiana Jones, looking for the lost iOS trick. Also a long-time Mac user, Apple devices hold no secrets for him. Contact: pierre[a]iphon.fr.
