Skip to Content

iPadOS 18 Beta 2 Includes Alternative App Stores and Other EU Changes

by

Apple today announced that the second beta of iPadOS 18 extends alternative app marketplaces and other app-related changes to the iPad in the EU.

Apple EU iOS Changes
Apple first introduced these changes on the iPhone in the EU with iOS 17.4 earlier this year, to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act. The expansion of the changes to the iPad in the EU comes nearly two months after the European Commission said iPadOS is also a gatekeeper platform under these new regulations.

The other changes include alternative payment options in the App Store, a default web browser selection screen in Safari, the ability for web browsers to use web engines other than Apple's WebKit on the iPhone and iPad, and more. Apple's existing terms extend to the iPad, including the Core Technology Fee for alternative app marketplaces.

iPadOS 18 is currently in beta for developers, with a public beta to follow in July. The update should be widely released in September.

Tags: App Store, European Commission

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Released Seven New Products Today

Wednesday March 11, 2026 7:05 am PDT by
Starting today, the seven new Apple products that were announced last week are available at Apple Stores and beginning to arrive to customers. The colorful MacBook Neo and all of the other new products are on display at most Apple Store locations around the world starting today. Apple Stores have inventory of the new products for both walk-in customers and Apple Store pickup, but...
Read Full Article • 24 comments
Apple 50 Years of Thinking Different

Apple Announces 50th Anniversary Plans

Thursday March 12, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
Apple today announced that it will celebrate the company's 50th anniversary over the coming weeks, but it has yet to reveal any specific plans. Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, so the company will turn 50 on April 1, 2026. "While Apple is known for looking forward, this milestone offers a special moment to reflect on the journey that has brought the company here, to celebrate the...
Read Full Article • 90 comments
iphone fold text

iPhone Fold to Feature iPad-Style Multitasking and Layouts

Wednesday March 11, 2026 1:31 pm PDT by
The upcoming foldable iPhone that Apple plans to debut this September will operate like a cross between an iPhone and an iPad, reports Bloomberg. When the device is opened up, the UI will have an iPad-like layout that supports multitasking with two apps side-by-side. No iPhone to date has supported running multiple apps on the display at the same time, beyond simple picture-in-picture mode...
Read Full Article • 132 comments

Top Rated Comments

User 6502 Avatar
User 6502
23 months ago

Is there a way to disable it?
Disable what? You’re not forced to install any alternative app stores. So if you don’t want any just don’t install any.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
sw1tcher
23 months ago

Is there a way to disable it?
Disable what? Alternative app stores work only if you actively seek out and download/install an alternative marketplace app from Apple's App Store or directly from the website of the alternative app marketplace developer.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/118110

Alternative app marketplaces are unique kinds of iOS apps that you can use to install other apps on your iPhone.

Users in the European Union can install an alternative app marketplace on iPhone by downloading it directly from the website of the alternative app marketplace developer.


By not installing an app for an alternative marketplace, you will not enable the feature. In other words, the feature is by default disabled unless you enable it by installing an app for an alternative marketplace.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
CookItOff
23 months ago
I disagree with but can understand the arguments for alternate app stores. But the redirecting payments for apps downloaded from the Apple App store seems akin to walking into Walmart and grabbing a bag of peanut M&Ms and then walking out without paying Walmart cause you went online and earlier and purchased the M&Ms from Mars Candy. 🤷‍♂️😁
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
sw1tcher
23 months ago

I disagree with but can understand the arguments for alternate app stores. But the redirecting payments for apps downloaded from the Apple App store seems akin to walking into Walmart and grabbing a bag of peanut M&Ms and then walking out without paying Walmart cause you went online and earlier and purchased the M&Ms from Mars Candy. 🤷‍♂️😁
That is a bad analogy.

The closest analogy would be going to Walmart to buy a magazine. And then the magazine publisher redirects any future purchases away from Walmart by giving you a discount if you subscribe by mail using one of those subscriber cards you always find in magazines.



Attachment Image
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TigerNike23 Avatar
TigerNike23
23 months ago

Disable what? Alternative app stores work only if you actively seek out and download/install an alternative marketplace app from Apple's App Store or directly from the website of the alternative app marketplace developer.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/118110

Alternative app marketplaces are unique kinds of iOS apps that you can use to install other apps on your iPhone.

Users in the European Union can install an alternative app marketplace on iPhone by downloading it directly from the website of the alternative app marketplace developer.


By not installing an app for an alternative marketplace, you will not enable the feature. In other words, the feature is by default disabled unless you enable it by installing an app for an alternative marketplace.
You know that, I know that. The people on here know that. But Joe Blow doesn’t.

When he uses an alt app marketplace and gets an app that’s harmful to his iPad… who will he blame?

Apple, of course.

I’m in favor of multiple screens saying something to the consumer like “This app has not been approved by Apple. The user assumes any and all risk associated with this app. Apple does not recommend or support this app.”

The EU made its decision. Now we have to deal with dumb consumers blaming Apple.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bustycat Avatar
Bustycat
23 months ago
I don't know how could those two "persons" could give a thumbs down reaction to my previous comment. On the local iOS/iPadOS App Store here, the top games are full of scams, most of ChatGPT apps are scams, and those fancy weather apps spread false information that harm people in Taiwan every day!,,
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments