Over the past few months, Apple has quickly implemented technical and policy solutions under the Digital Markets Act. This led to the introduction of things like alternative app stores, online distribution, alternative browsers, and more as part of the iOS 17.4 and iOS 17.5 updates.
So far, these rules have only applied to iPhone and iOS. . But now the European Commission has expanded the scope of the Digital Markets Act to include iPads (via Bloomberg).
Currently, support for things like alternative App Store commission structures and sideloading apps is only available to iPhone customers in the European Union.
After the European Union announcement, Apple has approximately six months to bring iPadOS and iPad into compliance.
The best comment by S. Jobs
Interesting… a lot of people thought, that iPads and other iDevices were already included in the initial tweak Apple made due to DMA.
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This will likely mean all the same changes we saw Apple apply to iPhone in the EU will now extend to iPad. For example, iPad users will be able to download apps from alternative app stores (such as AltStore) and have the ability to use an alternative browser and browser engine.
Apple's implementation of DMA rules as they apply to the iPhone remains under review. Companies such as Spotify have complained that Apple has made adoption impossible due to barriers such as core technology fees, which impose an annual installation fee for apps distributed outside the Apple App Store under alternative business terms.
If Apple is found to be non-compliant, the EU could fine the company up to 10% of its annual worldwide revenue.
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