When you use your iPhone, you know that it is possible to install applications on your device from the App Store. But it will be different in Europe. Therefore, iOS 17.5 and later versions allow platform apps to be accessible from web pages, but Apple's apps to be accessible.
This possibility came officially at the end of the third week (16) when iOS 17.5 beta 2 was released. Users located in a country of the European Union can, from today, install applications for iPhone directly on the developed pages or download sites.
Reason: EU Digital Markets Act
It depends on Apple, nothing changes for the dynamics of iPhone application downloads. The company enabled apps to be downloaded to iOS via the web for European users by targeting digital markets in the European Union (or Digital Markets Act — AMD).
It was created by the European Commission with the intuition of transforming digital service markets into more fair, secure and competitive ones in our countries that are part of the bloc.
The DMA entered into force in March 2024 and established, among its decisions, that the user has the right to easily listen to padrão browser of your devices and can access sites or alternative sites of applications.
On Android this is not a problem, but alternatives to Google Play exist at times, for example F-Droid. But there's nothing like it for the iPhone, or you've been asking Apple to allow downloading apps from the web to get your money's worth.
But I don't have a “general liberal”
Alguns the criteria must be respected so that downloads to iOS from the web are possible. To start, developers can offer applications that are vinculated to their contact with Apple. On the other hand, they must inform you about the clarity of the applications and use of user data.
Developers must also pay a fee of 0.50 euros for each first annual installation that exceeds the mark of 1 million downloads in the last 12 months.
As exceções ficam para aplicativos fornecidos por organizações sem lucrativos, educacionais instituições en órgãos governmentalamentais. If a download quantity is less than 1 million per year, there are also no precise payment taxes.
The user will then be able to grant permission for the application to be installed from the web. For this reason, iOS will display information like the name of the application, the name of the developer and screenshots so that anyone can be sure that they want to use this software at the same time.
For example, the main condition: Apple must specifically allow downloads from the App Store to users located in the European Union, and somewhat on iPhone. The company has no plans to release features in other countries or for the iPad.
The company will provide APIs to developers to facilitate the distribution of applications via the web according to all the criteria necessary for this purpose.
