Tech Desk
Sep 14, 2024
Apple has disclosed that it will let iPad users in the EU download apps from third-party stores from September 16.
Coinciding with the launch of iPadOS 18, the development comes as a part of the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA), a set of market fairness and pro-competition rules. The commission shared a list of six tech giants that have been designated “gatekeepers”, as they operate “core platform services (CPS)".
Initially, the commission designated three Apple services as CPS including the mobile operating system iOS, the App Store, and web browser Safari. However, in April iPad operating system was designated a CPS.
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“Initially, Apple argued that iPadOS didn’t meet the required user threshold for the DMA, but is determined to be an important gateway on which many companies rely to reach their customers,” stated EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager.
Apple had six months to update iPadOS and ensure that it complied with the DMA. Now, as per Friday’s announcement, users in the EU will be able to install alternative app stores while the web browser developers can release browsers for the iPad with their browser engines.
While third-party stores have already launched for iPhone users in the EU, including Setapp Mobile and AltStore PAL, the new Epic Games Store has committed to support iPads this year.
