Apple Enables Direct App Downloads from Developer Sites in EU

In compliance with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple has made significant adjustments to its iPhone and App Store policies. The new rules mandate Apple to facilitate alternative app marketplaces and give developers the option to bypass Apple's in-app payment system, which can charge up to a 30% fee. In line with this, Apple is introducing the capability for developers to offer their applications directly from their websites. This move allows developers to set up their own app marketplaces, showcasing exclusively their own catalog of apps.

Furthermore, Apple is implementing a Web Distribution feature, expected to launch later in the spring, which will enable developers to provide app downloads directly from their sites. To participate in this new distribution method, developers are required to adhere to Apple's notarization guidelines to ensure security and must agree to the updated App Store business terms. A Core Technology Fee of €0.50 will be charged for each first annual install exceeding one million in the previous 12 months. These changes, which currently apply only within the EU, come as Apple faces criticism for allegedly insufficient efforts to meet the new regulatory standards.