Setapp Planning to Launch Alternative App Store for iOS in Europe

Tuesday August 15, 2023 6:41 am PDT by Hartley Charlton

App subscription service Setapp today announced plans to launch an alternative app store for iOS and iPadOS in 2024.

Setapp Europe Feature 1
The European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into effect on November 1, 2022, requires "gatekeeper" companies to open up their services and platforms to other companies and developers. The DMA will have a significant impact on Apple's platforms, and it could result in Apple being forced to make major changes to the ‌App Store‌, Messages, FaceTime, Siri, and more.

Apple is expected to be compelled to allow users to download apps from outside its official ‌App Store‌. Otherwise known as sideloading, the change would allow customers to download apps without needing to use the ‌App Store‌, which would mean developers wouldn't need to pay Apple's 15 to 30 percent fees.

Apple is believed to be planning to implement sideloading support in iOS 17 to comply with the new European regulations by next year. Apple must comply with the DMA or it risks fines of as much as 20 percent of its global revenue.

Setapp offers a large collection of Mac apps in a single subscription service. The company's new app store for iOS and iPadOS will ensure that users can access universal Setapp apps on other devices, as well as a range of apps new to the Setapp catalog from over 30 developers.

Users interested in being among the first to try Setapp's alternative app store once it is available can now sign up to a waiting list. It will be available in the European Union only.

Tags: European Union, Setapp

Top Rated Comments

Spaceboi Scaphandre

6 weeks ago

re: DMA - I think that is a dumb move. I am not comfortable having a "side load" on my iPhone due to security issues.

Well it's a good thing YOU DON'T HAVE TO. Just like on Android it is completely optional. You don't want to sideload, you don't have to. Keep the toggle off and stick with the Apple App Store. But it's there if you want to ever change your mind and want to venture outside of the walled garden.

Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)

sw1tcher

Yeah, this is a dumb move by the DMA. No iPhone user should be forced to get their apps from Setapp and....

Wait a second. You're not being forced to use Setapp. Or sideload. Or do anything. This is being provided as an option to Apple's App Store.

Option ('https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/option'):
1. an act of choosing
2. the power or right to choose : freedom of choice
3. something that may be chosen: such as
a : an alternative course of action
b : an item that is offered in addition to or in place of standard equipment

Don't feel comfortable using Setapp? Don't use it, use the Apple App Store instead.

Crazy that consumers would complain about having more options.

Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Akrapovic

If you are in America, it won’t bother you then and you can stay nice and comfy. For us in Europe, this will provide greater flexibility and usability for our IOS devices.

Setapp are based in Cork in Ireland!! Yay!!!!

SetApp are Ukranian (they're MacPaw). The company is registered in Ireland for tax purposes.

Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Wrong. There's much more opportunities for fraud on mobile devices. There's much devices available. More verifications won't do it. Just watch fraud videos on YouTube. So much people are still clicking on email links. It's a business on itself.

Yes very true. Leave the Walled Garden at your own risk. I’ve heard one identity theft hack will negatively affect you and your credit for the rest of your life. No thanks!

I agree. Just look at all scam/fake apps and the fraud being perpetrated on the Google Play Store.

https://www.macrumors.com/2022/02/21/indie-developer-scam-clone-app-store/

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/02/09/scam-apps-ios-making-millions-revenue/

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/03/30/bitcoin-scam-app-costs-iphone-user-life-savings/

https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/26/ios-app-store-ad-fraud/

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/03/18/apple-hit-with-lawsuit-from-developer

https://www.macrumors.com/2022/02/21/indie-developer-scam-clone-app-store/

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/04/07/developer-highlights-scam-apps-iap/

Oh, wait. This is Apple's App Store. ?

Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)