Only a few days after permitting iOS users in the European Union to access third-party app stores, Apple has now revealed more modifications to the distribution of developers’ apps.
Most notably, those that satisfy specific requirements will have the ability to permit consumers to download apps from their websites.
The tech company disclosed this new update in a statement on Tuesday.
Experts say Publishers like Epic, who operate the Epic Games Store on Windows and macOS and have a history of legal disputes with Apple, will benefit greatly from this.
This spring according to the release, developers will be able to distribute their apps directly without going through the app market thanks to the Web Distribution option.
To be eligible, developers must be members of the Apple Developer Programme in good standing for at least two years and agree to the new App Store policies, which require them to pay a fee for each user after a set number of installs.
According to a support document, among other requirements, they must “have an app that had more than one million first annual installs on iOS in the EU in the prior calendar year.”
These applications will have access to user data backup and restoration, system functions, and more.
Developers that have been a part of the EU Apple Developer Programme for a minimum of two years and—perhaps the most difficult hurdle to overcome—have an app that achieved one million first-year installs on iOS within the EU during the previous calendar year will be eligible for this.
“Marketplaces can choose to offer a catalogue of apps solely from the developer of the marketplace,” Apple stated in the Alternative Terms Addendum for Apps in the EU.
