Apple reveals how EU DMA compliance impacts developers
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In the document writing Considering the limitations third-party App Store process, Apple has made it clear how long third-party app stores installed on an iPhone will continue to work once a user leaves the European Union.
Starting March 7, customers in the European Union will be able to buy iPhone apps from third-party stores. In addition to the restrictions for the application provider, there are also some restrictions for users.
The support document released Thursday detailed that Apple will not be able to support users who deal with alternative app stores that don't work properly, nor will it be able to help with broken apps.
Furthermore, Apple recognizes that privacy can be an issue and the company will not police rogue apps.
If a customer leaves a European Union country, an app downloaded from one of these app stores can only be updated for 30 days — but it will continue to function after this period of time. Users can still use marketplaces to manage previously installed apps, but they must be physically located in the European Union to install marketplaces and new apps from those stores.
The support document makes clear Apple's disdain for the concessions it must make in the European Union to comply with the Digital Markets Act. It goes on to discuss app notarization, what happens when a third-party App Store closes, content that may be allowed in third-party app stores but not allowed by Apple, and more.
iOS 17.4 introduced the ability to run alternative app stores or download apps from outside the App Store. Apple released iOS 17.4 to the general public on Tuesday.
