Apple Now Offers a Website Option for EU Users to Download Apps

Apple says it is opening up a web distribution entitlement that would allow developers and iOS users in the EU to upload and download applications over the web as an alternative to the App Store.

This move comes after Apple announced in March that a web distribution entitlement would be coming to its mobile platform as part of changes aimed at complying with the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).

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The mobile tech giant has stated clearly that developers who seek to upload iOS apps on their websites rather than the App Store would need to agree to its new EU business terms which include a new core technology fee (CTF) charged at $0.53 for each first annual install over 1 million in the past 12 months regardless of where apps are distributed.

Meanwhile, EU users who wish to download iOS apps from a developer's website will need to authorize the developer to install them directly on their device via the iOS settings menu and by clicking “allow” on subsequent permission pop-ups.

Going by recent events this year, one can deduce that this new development is Apple's way of complying with the regulations set by the European Union, especially after the lawsuit saga last month that saw the tech giant fined to the tune of $2 billion for its anti-competitive practices.

iOS developers to distribute their apps directly to consumers in Europe

Consumers in Europe will now be able to download iPhone apps directly from software developer’s websites for the first time.

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