Yesterday, Apple introduced some main adjustments to the App Retailer and the broader iPhone platform within the European Union, together with help for different app marketplaces. There’s one piece of nuance that Apple is now clarifying.
A few of these adjustments are coming to all of Apple’s platforms, whereas others are coming solely to the iPhone and never the iPad.
There may be motive for this nuance. Apple explains that the European Union dominated that iOS is a gatekeeper platform as a part of the Digital Markets Act. This is applicable solely to iOS on the iPhone. iPadOS on the iPad is a very completely different platform within the eyes of Apple and the European Fee.
Alternatively, the Digital Markets Act designates everything of the App Retailer as a gatekeeper service. Within the eyes of the European Fee, this consists of the App Retailer throughout all of Apple’s platforms: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV.
With that in thoughts, Apple has bifurcated these adjustments based mostly on the necessities of the DMA. Modifications coming to the App Retailer are coming to all of Apple’s platforms, whereas adjustments to the iPhone are coming solely to the iPhone, even when iOS shares plenty of the identical codebase as iPadOS.
Right here’s what which means in apply.
- The power to put in third-party app marketplaces and obtain apps from third-party app marketplaces will likely be an possibility solely on the iPhone.
- The brand new immediate in Safari that asks customers to select a default browser engine is coming solely to the iPhone.
- Help for third-party browser engines is coming solely to the iPhone.
- The power to set default NFC and pockets apps will solely be accessible on the iPhone.
- Modifications to App Retailer coverage to permit different funds and decrease commissions have an effect on the App Retailer throughout all Apple platforms.
- Modifications to the App Retailer tips to permit sport streaming apps impression all of Apple’s platforms.
All of those adjustments are coming as a part of iOS 17.4, which is at present accessible in developer beta testing.
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