Apple will make a number of adjustments to the iPhone and iPad in iOS 17.4 to comply with EU rules. For example, you can install apps from other app stores and choose other payment methods.
Well before March 6, 2024, Apple will make some major adjustments to the iPhone and partly to the iPad to comply with new EU rules. Read this article to find out which rules these are. An important adjustment is that users in all 27 EU countries will soon be able to install apps from other app stores that meet Apple’s security and privacy requirements after a change in the settings. You cannot approve purchases or block purchases for the apps offered there. You also cannot share those apps within your family. Just like with the Mac, Apple checks apps installed outside the Apple App Store for malware and whether they have a valid Apple certificate. Once Apple detects malware, Apple can protect iPhone users by revoking the certificate, preventing that unsafe app from launching.
Other browser and payment methods
You will also soon see a clear choice in iOS 17.4 as to which browser you want to use by default. Furthermore, other iPhone browsers are no longer required to use Apple’s browserengine Webkit built into iOS. This allows other browsers to, for example, use plugins will offer many new possibilities. Apple should also make it possible for other payment methods to use the NFC chip of the iPhone.
For iPhone and iPad
The following adjustments will apply to iPhone and iPad: Apple is obliged to allow apps from game streaming services such as Xbox Game Pass, Playstation Plus and Geforce New and app makers may integrate other payment options, such as payment on their own website. Apple still charges an app maker with more than 1 million downloads per year a commission of €0.50 per download. Because the costs of the App Store have also been reduced by at least 33%, many companies will probably continue to use payment methods from the App Store.
