Apple Blocks iTorrent App From EU Alternative App Marketplace [Updated]

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Apple is no longer allowing torrenting app iTorrent to be distributed via the AltStore Pal alternative app marketplace in the European Union, according to TorrentFreak.

altstore pal eu
Torrent apps like iTorrent and qBitControl have been available for download from AltStore PAL since July of last year. Torrent apps are not allowed in the official App Store, but Apple has fewer controls over the alternative app marketplaces in the European Union due to the Digital Markets Act. In countries where alternative app marketplaces are available, iPhone and iPad users are able to download apps outside of the ‌App Store‌.

Starting in July 2025, some iTorrent users became unable to download the app, and the app's developer said that Apple had revoked its alternative distribution rights. While there are far fewer restrictions on apps distributed outside of the ‌App Store‌, Apple has implemented a Notarization process that gives it some control over non-App Store apps.

Notarization includes a baseline review that ensures apps are free from known malware, viruses, or other security threats. Apple says that it also makes sure that apps function as promised and do not expose users to egregious fraud.

Daniil Vinogradov, the developer behind iTorrent, claims that Apple did not provide a reason when iTorrent's distribution rights were revoked. After asking for more information, Apple provided a generic response and later said that the escalation team is investigating the issue. "I still have no idea if it was my fault or Apple's, and their responses make no sense," Vinogradov told TorrentFreak.

Because Apple has provided no details on the iTorrent app situation, it is not clear if there was some known security threat or fraud issue that caused the app's distribution rights to be revoked.

AltStore PAL has also requested more information from Apple, and was told that Apple is "looking into it." AltStore PAL has not received any warnings about torrent apps or other app categories, so there doesn't seem to be a blanket ban on torrenting apps.

Update: Apple said in a statement that the app was removed to comply with government sanctions. "Notarization for this app was removed in order to comply with government sanctions-related rules in various jurisdictions. We have communicated this to the developer."

Tag: European Union

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Top Rated Comments

Macusercom Avatar
Macusercom
20 weeks ago
I hope the EU steps up now
Score: 47 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
dannyyankou
20 weeks ago

Torrent helps people to steal things.

Screw them.
So does the internet in general. But they both can be used legally. Some of my favorite bands let their fans record live shows and share them via torrent.
Score: 45 Votes (Like | Disagree)
toto75 Avatar
toto75
20 weeks ago
Meanwhile, torrent apps can be freely downloaded with a browser on a Mac
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vertsix Avatar
vertsix
20 weeks ago
I hope the EU demolishes Apple for this.

The whole point of alternative app distribution is to divert control away from Apple. The consumers themselves should be able to choose what software should run on the hardware they buy.
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
toto75 Avatar
toto75
20 weeks ago

Much as I am very happy the EU has forced Apple to allow third party app stories to function within iOS, this is a no-brainer.

There are essentially no valid-use cases for having a torrent client on an iPhone or iPad other than piracy. Anyone claiming they have a torrent client on their iPhone because "I'm only torrenting Linux distros" deserves the ey-rolling they'll recieve.

The EU are not fans of piracy / stolen IP, so it is wildly optimistic that they will fight Apple on this, as long as AltStore PAL is itself not blocked by Apple. If Apple only blocks the torrent client, then Apple and the EU will be on the same side of the argument. It's in fact possible that the EU mentioned to Apple that they would be quite happy if Apple did, in fact, block access to torrenting apps on an iPhone/iPad.
Would you be alright with Apple blocking browsers from downloading certain kinds of software on a Mac?
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chaos215bar2 Avatar
Chaos215bar2
20 weeks ago

Because Apple has provided no details on the iTorrent app situation, it is not clear if there was some known security threat or fraud issue that caused the app's distribution rights to be revoked.
Nonsense. If there were a known threat, Apple should be telling their customers not to use the app. Since they are not, we can reasonably assume that is not why the app was removed.

Why try to help justify this? We already know Apple is not a fan of Torrent apps, despite legal uses. Unless they say otherwise, there's no reason to give Apple any benefit of the doubt.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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