European Union (EU) users will soon be able to sideload iPadOS apps from websites and download iPad games like Fortnite from other app stores.
Apple has already complied with the EU’s Digital Markets Act by allowing sideloading, alternative app stores like AltStore PAL and Setapp Mobile, third-party web browsers that use custom rendering engines and an alternative commission structure for developers—all within the 27 member states in the EU.
However, as the European Commission has now designated the iPad’s operating system as a digital gatekeeper, the above changes must also be implemented in iPadOS. The company must bring the enforced changes to market via an upcoming update to iPadOS, likely iPadOS 17.5. Otherwise, it risks facing hefty fines.
Epic Games, which has been working on bringing Fortnite to iPhone in the EU, said its Epic Games Store will be coming to iPad users within the EU “this year.”
Fortnite is coming to iPad in the EU later in 2024
In a press release, the European Commission gave the following reasons for why the iPad’s operating system is a gatekeeper:
- Apple’s business user numbers exceeded the quantitative threshold elevenfold, while its end user numbers were close to the threshold and are predicted to rise in the near future.
- End users are locked-in to iPadOS. Apple leverages its large ecosystem to disincentivize end users from switching to other operating systems for tablets.
- Business users are locked-in to iPadOS because of its large and commercially attractive user base and its importance for certain use cases, such as gaming apps.
“Today’s decision will ensure that fairness and contestability are preserved also on this platform,” said Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy.
EU changes in iOS 17.4 and iOS 17.5
Starting with iOS 17.4, iPhone owners within the EU can download alternative app stores to get apps from third-party sources instead of the App Store. With iOS 17.5, folks in the EU can also download apps directly from developers’ websites.
These updates also present EU folks with a browser choice screen when they open Safari for the first time, offering a list of third-party browsers. Users can pick an alternative web browser and set it as the default, should they wish.
An alternative commission structure for EU developers is already in place, and Apple now permits iPhone browsers with custom rendering engines instead of WebKit.