Following the news that Apple is going to allow third-party app stores in the EU following the release of iOS 17.4, developers around the world have been diving into the company's updated developer guidelines and information to see just how things will work. And as suspected, the changes Apple announced today will only apply to those who are in the European Union. If you're outside of an EU member country, it's business as usual and the App Store remains the only way for you to get your apps.
That isn't all that surprising given the fact that Apple is only allowing third-party app stores at the behest of the EU and its Digital Markets Act. A law coming into effect in early March will require that Apple allow people to install iPhone apps outside of the App Store, a move that the company has been fighting for years. Now, Apple has explained to developers exactly why it won't let third-party app stores onto the iPhone globally.
