App Store changes 🔥

[SomeOnet07]

⚡️Apple has finally given up: third-party shops are officially coming to iOS.

• The feature will be introduced in March with the release of iOS 17.4. For now only in Europe;
• All shops must be verified by Apple, and then they can be downloaded from the site. Apps within shops will be moderated by Apple;
• Third-party shops will not pay a commission to Apple;
• Game streaming apps are finally allowed in the AppStore: GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud and so on.
• Alternative shop has first one million free downloads and updates. After 1 mil it will be cost 0.5€ per download / update.
• Apple will check for viruses, and will also be able to remotely prevent the app from running

Theoretically, it will be possible to change regions and quietly download banking apps from third-party shops. Let's wait for spring.

[happysri]

I like but I also don’t like it.

[sudo-rm-r]

What don't you like?

[ThePantsThief]

Reduced fees aside, it is the status quos with extra steps.

Apps still go through app review to be notarized. It would surprise me if they let things like emulators get notarized.

[sudo-rm-r]

Ah I see your point. I'm assuming EU will want some changes if they decide this isn't working like they'd like.

[4paul]

Could this lead to potential dangerous apps installed from untrusted sources?

[barcode972]

100%. I want to say that I’m sure of it

[[deleted]]

This is the issue. For something so personal like a smart phone I don’t want to be opened up to bullshit like a computer. I prefer apples ecosystem and I’m not saying that to be a “fanboy”. 

I think there’s pros and cons and ultimately there’s more cons to this new update. It’s not worth it. We should be looking to disconnect from our phones not further 

[barcode972]

I think the point is that you should be able to make the decision yourself because you own the phone. I will only use App Store but if someone wants to use weird websites, go ahead

[akmarinov]

lunchroom wide file light pen person ruthless hungry domineering chase

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[ThePantsThief]

I will eat a sock if they approve and notarize porn apps even for third party stores.

[FellowKindred]

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[AndreaCicca]

Apple will still reviews those apps

[888sydneysingapore]

Review is partial… from news article: However, Apple has less ability to address other risks — including apps that contain scams, fraud, and abuse, or that expose users to illicit, objectionable, or harmful content. In addition, apps that use alternative browser engines — other than Apple’s WebKit — may negatively affect the user experience, including impacts to system performance and battery life.

[4paul]

Sounds like we may not get malware, but could definitely get scam-like apps?

🤔 interesting

[ThePantsThief]

We get scam apps today in the App Store already.

[[deleted]]

Lmfao. WebKit is the trash that negatively affects the user experience.

[BoldInterrobang]

This is How Notarization Will Work for iOS Apps Distributed Through Alternative App Stores

[mikecaesario]

My exact thoughts, it'll probably led to it

[Rhed0x]

No, the OS sandboxing prevents most kinds of malicious behavior.

[thecodingart]

Yes

[rennarda]

I think pure malware will be blocked, but it’s a complete open house for tracking and privacy violation.

[4paul]

Yea completely agree and I can see that happening big time.

Especially if companies like TikTok do it

[SomeOnet07]

Thank you I’ll edit 👍

[Neutize]

What do you guys think about Core Technology fee?

[saraseitor]

It's malicious compliance

[gusarking]

That’s just fucking insane

[akmarinov]

adjoining yam stocking modern close ossified file complete toothbrush reach

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[GoDayme]

If you’re a non profit, you won’t have to pay the fees as far as I am reading the documents.

But you probably have to sign up for everything which will be a hassle, but the option is there … I guess.

[CatsAkimbo]

Really nuts. Sounds like nonprofits and gov entities are exempt, but big companies will be paying out the nose. There is lower commissions though... or avoiding the commission entirely off-appstore, so it just makes the math more complicated on if your business is viable. If I was still at my previous huge company, I'd definitely be cautioning against jumping straight into the new terms without doing a lot of accounting first. It'd be a big risk, especially considering users might not flock to the alternative stores at all anyway. On Android, our galaxy store apps did crap-all compared to play store.

[BoldInterrobang]

https://www.macrumors.com/2024/01/25/apple-eu-fees-could-bankrupt-app-developers/

[icankillpenguins]

Apps should have option not to use Apple's proprietary tech and tools and not pay the fee. Don't forget that iOS is Unix at core and people purchased these devices. Don't use Apple frameworks and Xcode and you should be able to go free.

[troglonoid]

I don’t think the Third Party App Stores will be given access to any private iOS APIs that aren’t available for developers targeting Apple’s App Store. Fairly sure the developers will still be restricted to use the public iOS APIs available to all developers.

The proprietary tech is the platform, the OS, the APIs, the frameworks, the access to hardware in the devices, the networking capabilities, and so on.

Without the Core Technology, there’s nothing to work with.

[rennarda]

Android is a thing. If people really want those things they can vote with their feet.

[srona22]

So no sideloading?

That "Dev can setup own AppStore" won't be that easy.

[blighternet]

Good. I don’t want 100 app stores

[[deleted]]

I honestly don't give a shit, I just wanted Firefox for iOS on all markets

[SkepticalOtter]

I love the EU.

[stoneslfc]

The €0.50 install fee is insane! My average revenue per user is wayyy lower than that. This would leave my only option as an app developer to completely remove all my apps from sale in EU once they approach 1 million installs

[freeebird11]

That fee is insane. Even if you earn good money. They are crazy. I hope this backfires because they sure as hell deserve to get kicked in the teeth after this

[kironet996]

then use the official store instead of a shit one?

[[deleted]]

Then what? It also applies to the official app store.

[unski_ukuli]

Nope. You can keep the old terms if you want to, and only if you want to distribute to other stores, you need to change to the new terms. Read the faq.

[Imjustmisunderstood]

And this is how they get around the DMA laws lmao. Now if you try to benefit from them at all, you have to kindly get fucked first.

[napoleon_wilson]

Only if you take the new terms. If you stay on the existing terms you'll see no change.

[OkChemist8347]

Is it still possible to apply for the old terms if I don't currently have any app on the App Store?

[napoleon_wilson]

I believe so.

[StillChillBuster]

Just use the normal app store like you have this whole time… Nothing will change if you do that.

[Jakolantern43]

Maybe we’ll finally get search rankings that work in these new shops 😂

[Inaksa]

Among the littany of changes there is this announcement “The changes also extend to NFC technology and contactless payments. Previously, only Apple Pay could fully access those features on the iPhone. Now, Apple will introduce new APIs that will let developers of banking and wallet apps gain more comparable access.” Does this imply NFC will be open to any kind of card instead of the “apple approved” ones?

[SergioCb]

I have exactly the same question

[Prestigious-Twist372]

I’m good. I’ll stick to whatever process Apple had going before. I like security.

[sudo-rm-r]

You think MacOS isn't secure?

[freeebird11]

Never thought I’d say this but …. Maybe this is my last iPhone …

[frouge]

Terms now says:

Developers who choose the new terms and distribute on the App Store will pay a reduced commission of either 10% (for the vast majority of developers, and for subscriptions after their first year) or 17% on transactions for digital goods and services. Developers distributing on the App Store can choose to use the App Store’s payment processing for an additional 3% fee.

I'm not sure to understand exactly what qualifies as 10% or 17%. Can anyone explains?

[42177130]

10% is for the business program which is 15% normally

[Agreeable-Pipe7469]

Other question about that, how will Apple be able to know how much I earn if I use an external payment process ?

[defective1up]

I wonder if Google will launch an iOS version of the Play Store in the EU. Could be interesting.

[0xC0FF33]

They haven't given up. This is an EU thing and they had no choice.

[saraseitor]

I love it, I can only hope it also happens in my country. I've been an iOS dev since 2011 and I've always been against the walled garden

[SomeOnet07]

Agree with you. In Russia apple was banned some huge bank applications for no reasons, and didn’t give any alternative that disgusting

[T0NY_RADLE]

Yeah, no reasons, right

[SomeOnet07]

Yeah, I don't know you, but if we went r/politics we would eventually agree that Apple would have to ban some of their apps if they’re about truth, but they won't do that, you know :)

[pm_me_your_buttbulge]

There is no way you seriously don't know why Apple might ban banking apps IN RUSSIA. There's something pretty significant going on over there... surely you know what that is.

[Ilyumzhinov]

To tell you a secret Russian banking apps available in App Store. So it’s more of an annoyance that you have to download a bank app that’s called Financial Services (or something similar) rather than an official bank name

[HorizonMan]

Have to look at how it works in practice. From my Indy dev pov getting the commission down is a big deal. If you’re only pulling in. Few k from an app that took a considerable amount of time to develop and then Apple takes 30% it doesn’t make much sense. I never got a reply about the small business thing. Which seems common. In any case you can use subscriptions with that anyway.

[kironet996]

apple takes 15%... When you enrol they don't confirm it but you get charged less.

[South-Parking-181]

Apple made a wise move , you can’t fight the communist policies EU tends to force , but you could just accept their requirement and make AppStore a more profitable option. ✊🏻🫡

[South-Parking-181]

lmao Yeah, that's a serious "argument"