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Apple rolling out App Store Connect and TestFlight changes to support alternative app stores in the EU

App Store EU sideloading App Marketplace

Last month, Apple announced a wide range of changes coming to the App Store in the European Union as part of iOS 17.4, including support for third-party app marketplaces. Ahead of iOS 17.4 being released to the general public in March, Apple is rolling out new features in App Store Connect for beta testing.

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LastPass alerting customers to imposter ‘LassPass’ password manager currently in App Store [U: Pulled]

Update: Within an hour of publishing, Apple removed the previously reviewed and approved app in question from the App Store.


Is it LastPass or LassPass? LastPass wants you to know that it’s definitely LastPass, and LassPass is completely sus. The imposter “password manager” is undeniably masquerading as the real thing, and it’s live in the App Store as of this writing.

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Apple wants you to know that the App Store is a ‘safe and trusted place’ ahead of EU changes

Apple wants you to know that the App Store is a 'safe and trusted place' ahead of EU changes

As part of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust legislation, Apple will have to open up iOS to alternative app stores – and the company has released iOS 17.4 with support for what it calls App Marketplaces. But unsurprisingly, Apple wants people to know that the App Store is still the best place to download iPhone apps, and that’s exactly what it’s been telling its users.

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Mark Zuckerberg explains why there will be no Meta app store for iPhone in the EU

Meta Apple App Store

Many developers and tech companies didn’t react well to the changes proposed by Apple last month to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust legislation, and Mark Zuckerberg is on that team. The Meta CEO said on Thursday that he doubts developers will opt in to the new “onerous” terms set by Apple in the EU.

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Apple to let developers request consultation on EU changes coming to the App Store

App Store European Union sideloading

Apple recently announced a series of measures to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust legislation, which includes allowing alternative app stores on the iPhone. To make sure developers understand what’s changing, Apple will let them request a consultation on the new guidelines announced last month.

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Epic Games goes to court to accuse Apple of failing to comply with App Store ruling

App Store ruling headed back to court

While some may have thought the Epic Games versus Apple battle ended when the US Supreme Court decided the existing App Store ruling would stand, and it would not hear appeals from either side, it quickly became clear that this isn’t the case.

Epic Games has now followed through with its threat to contest Apple’s “bad-faith compliance plan” – which would see the company charge 27% commission on app sales made outside of its own App Store

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Apple (sort of) removes its requirement that apps offer ‘Sign in with Apple’ support

There’s another small but notable change coming to the App Store. Apple has revised its App Store guidelines to remove the requirement that apps using third-party log-in options such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter must also use Sign in with Apple.

There is, however, a big asterisk to this change. While developers aren’t technically required to use Sign in with Apple, they are required to offer an “additional login service with certain privacy features.”

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9to5Mac Overtime: GBA4iOS and Delta developer Riley Testut talks iOS 17.4 changes and alternative app stores

Talented GBA4iOS, AltStore, and Delta emulator developer Riley Testut joins us to provide his insightful thoughts about sideloading, alternative app stores, new iOS 17.4 changes to allow app marketplaces in the EU, emulation, and the future of the App Store. Fernando and Jeff also discuss their thoughts on the new iOS 17.4 changes, including features that make their way to all users in all regions.

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PSA: The App Store, Apple Music, and more are currently down for many users

Apple settles lawsuit with developer who exposed multi-million dollar App Store scam

Update, 7:51pm ET: Apple has updated its System Status webpage to say that Apple Music, the App Store, and several other platforms are also experiencing outages.


If you’re having trouble accessing the App Store on your iPhone or iPad, you’re not alone. The App Store seems to be experiencing an outage, based on complaints from affected users on social media.

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Apple’s third-party app store plan is a ‘shameless insult’ and ‘must not stand’, says Coalition for App Fairness

App Store European Union sideloading

Apple announced its plan to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in Europe yesterday which will allow third-party app stores. However, the Coalition for App Fairness believes Apple’s approach will be found illegal and says the iPhone maker’s plan is a “shameless insult to the European Commission and the millions of European consumers they represent…”

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Apple’s third-party app store announcements guarantee the company will end up in court

Apple's third-party app store announcements | Apple logo against stone columns

Apple’s third-party app store announcements – in which the company set out the terms on which it will claim compliance with European antitrust law – was nothing if not confident.

The company’s announcement combined criticism of the law that required it, exceedingly tough requirements on any developer wanting to sell outside the App Store, and warnings intended to deter users from buying their apps anywhere else …

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Here’s how Apple will check if your iPhone or iPad is eligible for sideloading

App Store European Union sideloading

It’s official: Apple today released iOS 17.4 beta, which enables sideloading for users in the European Union due to the new Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust legislation. Unsurprisingly, the changes Apple made to comply with the EU won’t be available to the rest of the world, but here’s how exactly Apple will check if your iPhone or iPad is eligible for sideloading.

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Apple now lets developers submit ‘interoperability requests’ for iOS apps in the EU

App Store Connect Apple Developer

Apple on Thursday announced a series of changes coming to iOS in order to comply with the EU’s Digital Market Act antitrust legislation, which forces the company to let developers distribute their apps outside the App Store. In addition, Apple announced that developers will now be able to submit “interoperability requests” for iOS apps.

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Apple announces support for third-party iPhone app stores in the EU, coming with iOS 17.4

App Store EU sideloading App Marketplace

The first beta of iOS 17.4 is coming today, and it makes big changes to the iPhone, the App Store, and more in the European Union.

Starting with iOS 17.4, Apple is opening the iPhone to what it calls “alternative app marketplaces” for the first time. Apple says this will “enable developers to offer their iOS apps for download from alternative app marketplaces and help protect their intellectual property.”

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Spotify in-app subscriptions previewed – but Apple is still determined to make it impossible

Spotify in-app subscriptions previewed

Spotify in-app subscriptions aren’t currently possible, thanks to Apple’s 30% cut – but the company has today previewed the experience it hopes to offer to European customers from March.

The streaming music company shows animations comparing the current in-app experience with the one it hopes to be able to offer once Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust law comes into force on March 7 …

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Russian government says Apple paid $13 million antitrust fine over iOS App Store

Latest Apple antitrust case in Russia | App Store

Back in 2022, the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) in Russia accused Apple of anti-competitive practices when it comes to the iOS App Store. Last year, the regulator decided to fine the U.S. company 1.2 billion rubles (which was $17.4 million at the time), and now the Russian government claims to have finally received the money from Apple.

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Apple’s 27% commission tactic ‘reeks of greed and avarice’ – Gruber

Apple's 27% commission | 3D render of glass Apple logo

Daring Fireball’s John Gruber has said that Apple’s decision to charge 27% commission on app sales made outside the App Store “reeks of greed and avarice.”

He also backs the view I expressed yesterday that the iPhone maker is putting itself in the firing line of regulators and legislators, while a majority of 9to5Mac commenters appear to disagree …

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Spotify calls Apple’s 27% cut of purchases outside the App Store ‘outrageous’; urges EU to ‘act switftly’

Spotify vs Apple music

Apple announced yesterday that US App Store developers may link to alternative payment methods but will still have to pay up to a 27% commission. Now Spotify has shared an official statement on the matter saying the move “flies in the face of the court’s efforts” and urging the EU to prohibit fees for outside link purchases “swiftly.”

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Apple demands $73M in Epic legal expenses

Epic legal expenses | Payment terminal

The Supreme Court’s decision not to hear appeals by either Apple or Epic Games means that the antitrust case is officially decided – and the iPhone maker is now demanding that the games company pay $73M of its $81M legal expenses.

The iPhone maker says that as there were ten issues at stake, and Apple won on nine of them, Epic should pay 90% of its legal bill …

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Apple’s 27% response to the Supreme Court decision is baiting antitrust regulators

Apple response to the Supreme Court | Judge's gavel on US flag

The US Supreme Court yesterday decided that the original ruling in the Epic Games case should stand – and Apple’s response to the antitrust ruling has been uncompromising, to put it politely.

The company’s announcement that it will allow external payments but still claim a 27% commission on sales made outside the App Store is effectively Apple giving the middle finger not just to Epic Games – which may be understandable – but also to the court which made the original ruling, and to antitrust regulators …

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