According to the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple's stranglehold on the App Store ecosystem for iPhone apps is stifling competition, forcing the tech giant to open up to new rivals. ing. As a result, we're starting to see what the App Store ecosystem could look like if other developers were allowed to compete with the default iPhone App Store.
One notable example is AltStore, an alternative app store. AltStore is preparing to launch the latest version of its app marketplace in the EU with DMA, and plans to support Patreon-backed apps.
To comply with new European law, Apple is introducing APIs and frameworks that allow developers to distribute apps independently of the App Store. AltStore was quick to capitalize on this potential, and last week AltStore developer Riley Testut shared a screenshot of the next version of the app store, which will be available in the EU.
Rather than relying solely on ads, paid downloads, or in-app purchases to monetize, AltStore allows developers to sell their apps directly to consumers using custom Patreon integrations.
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The store has offered sideloading apps like video game emulator Delta (also from Testut), but will initially only offer two apps in the EU, according to the developer. Delta is available for free, while AltStore's own clipboard manager, Clip, requires donations of $1 or more on crowdfunding platform Patreon. AltStore will soon be adding beta versions of both Delta and Clip, which will require a $3/month Patreon pledge.
This unique business model for monetizing apps is similar in some ways to Apple's in-app subscriptions, but without the traditional 15% to 30% sales fees that the tech giant currently collects. . Apple's DMA rules allow alternative app stores to choose to pay €0.50 per year for each first annual install over 1 million. This is a new scheme to leverage app revenue at scale, and Apple is calling it Core Technology Fees. (It's unclear whether Apple's fees will remain, as the EU investigates the tech giant for violations of competition law.)
Testut explains that once AltStore is up and running properly, the plan is to allow other developers to establish their own sources and distribute apps through the storefront.
“They will also be able to use the same Patreon integration that we use to distribute 'paid' apps,” Testut told TechCrunch. This integration creates a new business model for apps that would not have been allowed without the DMA coming into force.
“One of the things @altstore is doing that should really make you think about alternative payment systems that Apple never thought of is that it has integration with Patreon, tying access to the app to Patreon pledges. “This gives you a completely different personal relationship with your users. You can use the same reward system that you use for videos, blog posts, products, etc.,” said Steve Troughton-Smith, iOS Developer. he wrote in a post on Mastodon. “Alternative app stores don't just have to reinvent the Apple model,” he added.
Additionally, he noted how AltStore provides users with a “detailed view” of the entitlements (or additional permissions) an app has before installing it.
In addition to offering developers new ways to make money, Testus claims that the EU version of AltStore will be “dramatically easier” to use compared to the current version.
Currently, users who want to sideload apps through AltStore without jailbreaking their iPhone must use a Mac or PC, provide AltStore with their Apple ID and password, and update their apps every seven days. This process not only raises security concerns, but is also complex. However, the EU version of AltStore does not require these steps.
“Everything now essentially works like the App Store,” Testut said.
In the screenshots he shared, AltStore looks a lot like a modern app store, with categories like games, lifestyle, and utilities, as well as a button to download free apps, similar to Apple's App Store. However, Apple requires developers to insert an additional confirmation screen after a user clicks to install an app, so the user's interface will be slightly different. This screen alerts the consumer that updates and purchases are managed by his AltStore, not his Apple.
Testut also notes that installing AltStore apps requires notarization by Apple, so you can't just install sideloaded apps that are available as .ipa files.
The new AltStore is now ready to launch, but Testut said they are awaiting final approval from Apple.