On March 12, local time, Apple updated its three latest regulations for operating in the EU on its developer website, not only giving developers more freedom and greater flexibility, but also bringing more choices to users in the region.。

According to the announcement, Apple has introduced a new scheme called "Web Distribution" that allows authorized developers to distribute iOS apps directly from their websites to EU users, the company's biggest concession since the enactment of the EU's Digital Market Act (DMA).。

In addition to web pages, EU users can also download applications in a third-party "alternative application market," the App Store is no longer the "only way" to download iPhone software, the alternative market can also provide users with promotions, discounts and other welfare activities in any way, the design template of the event is also available on Apple's official website。

Apple said the change is effective immediately and that a specific software update will be released later this spring.。This change demonstrates the company's emphasis on and support for the developer ecosystem and has had a profound impact on the development and distribution patterns of applications in the region.。

Breaking the shackles of tradition

On March 6, the EU Digital Market Act came into force.。The bill stipulates that the world's major technology giants need to open application program interfaces (APIs), allowing users to decide which applications to pre-install on their devices, which is a natural blow to Apple, which has always been in the name of "closed ecology."。

Under pressure from the bill, Apple launched iOS 17 a week ago.4 Version。Updated EU users can download and install apps through third-party app stores, also known as "side loading."。

However, Apple has once again "opened its heart" and publicly announced that it will break its "closed myth" and achieve an open transformation in the EU market.。

Starting this month, EU users can bypass the App Store and related fees to download apps from third-party app marketplaces or websites。Earlier, Epic Games released news that Apple will restore Epic's developer accounts and Epic will be able to launch its own game store in the European market.。

According to the announcement, developers in the region who meet specific criteria will have many new options.。Developers who can distribute apps on the site must be a member of Apple's Developer Program for at least two consecutive years, having installed more than 1 million apps for the first time on the EU iOS platform last year; they also need to commit to Apple's requirements, disclose their data collection policies, and agree to the EU App Substitution Terms Appendix。

In addition, the developer's self-published apps must meet Apple's notarization requirements like all other iOS apps and can only be installed through domains registered in App Store Connect。During installation, the system will show users the details of the developer's submission to Apple for review, such as the application name, developer name, application description, screenshots and system ratings, etc.。

The move breaks Apple's long-standing tight controls on app distribution, giving developers more autonomy.。At the same time, Apple also said it will provide additional APIs for authorized developers to simplify web application distribution, system function integration, backup and recovery operations.。

Make it good for developers

In addition to distributing apps on the web, Apple has also unlocked higher degrees of freedom and greater profitability for developers.。

In the past, Apple had strict regulations and audits for in-app purchases and promotions, which limited developers' monetization opportunities to some extent.。Today, developers can design and implement their own promotional strategies to better engage users and increase in-app monetization through innovative promotional methods and flexible pricing strategies.。

Driven by the new regulations, the application development and distribution model in the EU region will usher in a major change, injecting new vitality into the entire mobile application industry.。Apple's reform has undoubtedly brought significant benefits to the EU's developer ecosystem, reflecting its emphasis on the interests of developers, while expanding autonomy and giving way to developers, while providing a guarantee for the sustainable development of quality applications.。