Additional alterations suggest that Apple is winging DMA compliance and wasn’t prepared.
TL;DR: The DMA compliance guidelines for Apple are changing again, day by day. Two additional distribution options have been launched by the company for EU developers today, and another will be available later this spring. App developers can now distribute their products via a website via sideloading, open marketplaces that are accessible to all users, or private marketplaces that are only available to their program. Developers still have to abide by Apple policies, regardless of the approach they take.
Apple revised the rules pertaining to the Digital Markets Act (DMA) on Tuesday. With the modifications, app developers now have more avenues for distributing their work, such as offering and selling the program on their own website. Additionally, it has lifted restrictions on what in-app marketing developers may offer.
The release of iOS 17.4 last week gave developers the green light to create substitute markets. These shops may provide a variety of apps from both the proprietor and other developers. A business may set off its app store for exclusive use in accordance with Apple’s recent DMA amendment. Put differently, it is not necessary for non-Apple markets to offer goods made by rival developers. For instance, Epic might open a store selling solely Epic games, something it might consider doing in the wake of Apple’s reversal on the decision to ban its Sweden branch.
Moreover, Cupertino provides a feature known as “link out to purchase.” Developers can create in-app promotions with links to their external websites by using this service. Although Apple offers iOS-optimized templates, using them is completely voluntary.
The software can now be distributed directly from websites by independent types who would prefer not to deal with app stores (sideloading). This spring, later on, is when this policy will actually take effect. Before being permitted to independently distribute from the raw web, developers will need to pass a vetting process, as Cupertino would prefer to avoid an online Wild West.
App developers must first have been a member of the Apple Developer Programme in good standing for at least two years in order to provide sideloaded apps. Additionally, they need to have at least one iOS app that received a million unique installs in the prior year.
Additionally, developers have to abide by all current and upcoming App Store standards, which include giving users explicit disclosures of the data collecting practices (app nutrition cards). Lastly, the sideloading website needs to be registered with App Store Connect by the developer.
Developers can download signed binary assets and post them on their website for distribution with ease by using App Store Connect. Users must first allow the developer to install apps in Settings on their iPhone before they may install apps from the developer’s website.
Although those are the main prerequisites for sideloading, Apple’s Getting Ready for Web Distribution support website lists additional requirements as well. After clearing, Apple gives sideloading developers access to all the APIs needed to make iOS run flawlessly.