Nearly a month following Apple’s reluctant acceptance of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), only one third-party iOS app store is operational in Europe. Mobivention, primarily catering to businesses for distributing internal apps, is currently the sole player.
However, the landscape is poised to change soon, with the imminent arrival of AltStore or alternative iPhone app store, Epic Games Store, and MacPaw’s Setapp. AltStore, developed by Riley Testut, stands out as a likely first option for EU users. Originating from the 2019 App Store alternative, AltStore or alternative iPhone app store facilitates app installation without the need for device jailbreaking.
The driving force behind AltStore’s creation was the desire to bring Delta, a Nintendo emulator, to iPhones through this European marketplace.
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Alternative iPhone App Store
AltStore’s revamped version is currently undergoing Apple’s approval process and is anticipated to launch upon receiving the company’s green light. Despite the anticipation, the launch of more app stores has been hindered partly due to Apple’s cost structure.
The Core Technology Fee (CTF), wherein developers are charged 50 euro cents for every annual app install exceeding 1 million, poses a financial challenge.
This fee applies to every first annual install of third-party app marketplaces, making it potentially unsustainable for developers. While Mobivention has addressed this by passing on CTF fees to its customers via membership packages, AltStore’s strategy remains undisclosed.
Though these fees may not be financially crippling for users, they could deter casual exploration of alternative app stores, especially when uncertain about the offerings. The prospect of paying for services that may not be utilized is seldom appealing.
Setting up a Apple store for apps.
Another possible hurdle to widespread adoption of third-party app marketplaces is the rather complicated installation process. It involves several steps, approximately a dozen interactions on your screen just to get the store up and running.
Here’s how it typically goes: You start by clicking a link in your web browser to load the alternative store. Then, you might get a pop-up saying your installation settings don’t allow marketplaces from that developer.
Next, you have to dive into your device’s Settings, enable the marketplace, go back to your browser, click the download link again, and then confirm the installation. Finally, you can open the store and start exploring available apps.
Though the procedure isn’t overly difficult, it can be frustrating due to the number of steps and some intimidating language. This setup contrasts starkly with Apple’s App Store, where you typically just need one click to start using it. It seems like Apple might be intentionally making the process cumbersome to discourage users, given their reputation for designing user-friendly experiences.
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Fortunately, installing third-party apps themselves is simpler. Whether it’s Mobivention or AltStore, the process is much like the App Store: you click an “install” button and the app gets installed. However, if you want to use software from other providers, like with AltStore’s bundled apps Delta and Clip, there’s a slight twist.
AltStore lets you add “sources,” which are URLs shared by developers containing JSON files with app information. Once these sources are added, you can download the apps they link to from AltStore. It’s like having mini-stores within a store.This decentralized method differs significantly from Apple’s centralized App Store and might be too complex for the average user. However, tech enthusiasts might find this unrestricted approach to app distribution quite appealing.
Initially, these sources won’t be available at launch, but Testut plans to prioritize them post-launch, with a curated list of recommended sources for downloading apps.During testing, I focused on the two apps available at launch: Delta and Clip. This is where things get exciting, especially with Delta, which is quite impressive.
Is the hassle worth it for the apps?
Delta is mainly a Nintendo emulator focusing on classic gaming consoles like NES, SNES, N64, and pre-Switch handhelds. Despite my initial skepticism, the free app pleasantly surprised me. Playing these nostalgic games on my iPhone was a delightful experience I didn’t realize I missed. Using Delta was straightforward; you can upload ROMs from iCloud Drive or your phone’s Download folder.
The performance while playing various titles was excellent, though touchscreen controls felt awkward—connecting an external controller solved this issue, albeit with some menu access problems. Overall, as someone who grew up with these games, playing them on my iPhone felt magical.
Clip, a clipboard manager, was another enjoyable app. It requires a minimum Patreon pledge of $1 a month to download, with the option to cancel anytime while retaining access to the app (minus updates). Unlike similar software on the App Store, Clip runs constantly in the background. This functionality allows for immediate saving of copied items to your clipboard, making it convenient for storing and reusing snippets.
While Clip works well, it raises concerns about security, as fully functioning clipboard managers are restricted on the App Store. There’s a potential risk in allowing an app to access everything you copy and paste, especially if malicious actors gain access to your data. However, according to Testut, Clip follows standard iOS security measures like sandboxing, with data stored in an SQLite database inaccessible to other apps unless the device is jailbroken.
Buyer beware
However, these types of apps have raised concerns about the use of third-party marketplaces, particularly by companies like Apple. Apple argues that the DMA limits its ability to detect, prevent, and address issues with malicious apps on iOS and those downloaded outside of the App Store.
While there’s some truth to Apple’s concerns, the situation isn’t entirely black and white. Apple still conducts a basic review and notarization of all apps on third-party app stores to ensure they’re free from known malware, function properly, and don’t expose users to fraud. Additionally, under the DMA, Apple can take necessary steps to protect users and address security issues.
For example, after testing Clip, the app had to be adjusted to meet Apple’s requirements for notarization. The initial version used location data to remain active, but Apple rejected it. The developer then updated Clip with a Map feature to justify its background activity, which led to approval.
This exchange highlights that third-party marketplaces aren’t as unregulated as some may fear.
However, operating outside of Apple’s controlled environment does pose risks. While apps like Clip may safeguard user data, the sparse privacy sections on AltStore raise concerns compared to the App Store. Though lesser security doesn’t automatically mean compromised identity or data theft, increased transparency regarding data collection, permissions, and privacy would be reassuring.
The primary challenge for mainstream adoption of third-party marketplaces is breaking away from the familiar App Store. Since its inception in 2008, people have trusted Apple’s ecosystem for security, privacy, updates, and customer support. Third-party stores introduce uncertainty. What if apps stop receiving updates when you’re out of the EU? Or if you encounter issues requiring refunds or dealing with scams?
AltStore’s payment method through Patreon pledges and handling of disputes by Patreon provides some reassurance, but other marketplaces may adopt different approaches. While big players like Epic Games Store and Setapp may inspire confidence, their profiles are yet to be established in this realm. Furthermore, the slow approval process for AltStore and Mobivention indicates a challenge in launching consumer-focused alternatives.
In its current state, third-party iOS app stores like AltStore primarily appeal to power users and enthusiasts seeking solutions or unique offerings not available on the App Store, such as a fully functional clipboard manager or game emulator.Ultimately, Apple may be content with this scenario, as it minimizes disruptions to its profitable ecosystem, despite facing scrutiny from EU regulators regarding DMA compliance.
