iOS 17.4 is already among us and although it seemed that there was not going to be any additional news regarding the Digital Markets Law, Apple just went one step further. In a new note on its developers website, it has announced two interesting new features. However, the most relevant is that will allow developers to distribute their applications through their official websites without having to go through the App Store or alternative app markets. We tell you all the details below.
Apple will allow you to download apps from official developer websites
In a new note published on the Apple developer portal, two relevant news have been announced regarding the changes produced in the European Union and iOS 17.4 to comply with the Digital Markets Law. The first of them is that will allow developers to create alternative app marketplaces where only apps from a specific developer are provided. That is, a company could create an app store and only have its own applications. This could not be done previously where different apps from different developers had to be accessed.
And on the other hand, Apple will allow EU users to install apps from official developer websites. That is, it will allow you to download apps without having to access the App Store or another alternative app store. This function called App web distribution It will arrive along with an API that facilitates the process throughout the spring of this year. Take a look at what Apple says:
Web Distribution, available in a software update later this spring, will allow authorized developers to distribute their iOS apps to EU users directly from a website owned and operated by the developer. Apple will provide access to APIs that make it easy to distribute developer applications from the web, integrate with system functionality, backup and restore user applications, and more. Apps offered through Web Distribution must meet notarization requirements to protect the integrity of the platform, like all iOS apps, and can only be installed from a website domain that the developer has registered with the App Store. Connect.
Requirements to access web distribution of apps
However, like everything, the developer has to meet a series of requirements to be able to distribute all your applications in this way. And those details are specified in the specifically created website for this reason:
- be enrolled in the Apple Developer Program as an organization incorporated, domiciled or registered in the EU (or have a subsidiary legal entity incorporated, domiciled or registered in the EU listed on App Store Connect). The location associated with your legal entity appears in your Apple Developer account.
- Be active member of the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more and have a application that has had more than one million first annual installations on iOS in the EU during the previous calendar year.
In addition, Apple has included a series of headings in which the developer has to agree, otherwise you would not be able to access the API or offer your applications in this way. Among those conditions are:
- Only offer apps from your developer account.
- Respond to communications from Apple regarding its applications distributed through Web Distribution, particularly regarding any fraudulent, malicious or illegal behavior, or anything else that Apple believes affects the security or privacy of users.
- Publish transparent data collection policies and give users control over how their data is collected and used.
- Follow the applicable laws of the jurisdictions where you operate (for example, the Digital Services Act, the General Data Protection Regulation and consumer protection laws).
- Be responsible for handling government and other requests to remove app listings.