MacPaw’s alternative app marketplace, Setapp Mobile, has launched an invite-only beta in the European Union (EU), bringing premium iPhone apps.
The Setapp service by Ukrainian developer MacPaw has provided a collection of excellent Mac apps and utilities that are nowhere to be found on Apple’s App Store through a single subscription model. MacPaw later added iPhone apps to the Setapp collection, though you have to scan QR codes to install apps on your device.
MacPaw said earlier that EU folks will soon be able to test-drive the Setapp Mobile client on their device, and now it’s finally available as an invite-only beta.
Setapp Mobile launches in the EU as an invite-only beta
To use Setapp Mobile, your iPhone e must be powered by iOS 17.4 or later, your Apple ID country must be set to one of the 27 member EU states and you must be physically present in the EU (location is not determined by your IP address).
There are several Setapp subscriptions for different needs. The one you need to use Setapp Mobile costs about €10/month (excluding applicable VAT) and lets you install apps on two iPhones. Aditional seats are available on pricier plans.
All the apps hosted on Setapp Mobile are valuable utilities that cannot be found on Apple’s own App Store, like Focused Work, Mindr, MonAI, SideNotes, Itemlist, Taskheat, etc. MacPaw’s own apps, like CleanMy®Phone and ClearVPN, are included. Some are available exclusively on Setapp Mobile, like Downie Mobile.
For more info about the Setapp plans, visit setapp.com/pricing.
How to install the Setapp Mobile app store on an iPhone
Using Safari on your iPhone, visit setapp.com/setapp-mobile and choose Get Setapp Mobile. If you don’t have one already, you will need to create a new account and follow the instructions to complete the Setapp Mobile installation flow.
Before downloading the Setapp Mobile client, you must approve the permission prompt in Settings. To do so, touch Allow Marketplace From “MacPaw Way Ltd” at the top of Settings and confirm by selecting Allow.
Return to the above page and hit Install Setapp Mobile, then choose Install App Marketplace from the install sheet. You may need to tap through several scare screens designed to dissuade you from using alternative marketplaces. With that done, open Setapp Mobile and try it out by downloading your first app.
Do I need to pay for apps?
As long as you have an active Setapp subscription and are logged into your account, you can download and use any app on Setapp Mobile. MacPaw has sweetened the deal for early adopters who can install apps without paying anything for 30 days during the invite-only beta period. After Setapp Mobile launches officially (MacPaw will announce a launch date later), you’ll be charged normal app prices in US dollars.
You need to live in the EU to use alternative marketplaces. Otherwise, continue installing iOS apps in your subscription the old-fashioned way by scanning the provided QR code with your iPhone’s camera.
More alternative app stores coming to iPhone in the EU
MacPaw is among the developers who promised alternative marketplaces for EU users. This is now possible because Apple has aligned itself with the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which prohibits gatekeepers from being the only source of software.
Other developers who took advantage of this change include Riley Testut. His AltStore has been available on jailbroken devices. Recently, it’s been available in the EU as AltStore PAL, allowing folks to sideload apps on their iPhones and iPads.