Apple announces big changes coming in March to iOS, Safari, and the App Store in the EU،
Apple is making big changes in the European Union which will, among other things, allow iPhone users to sideload apps from third-party app stores. From the beginning, the late Steve Jobs intended to prevent iPhone users from downloading apps to the iPhone for security reasons. Apps from third-party
app stores are installed without Apple reviewing them for security risks; Apps downloaded from the App Store have been checked for malware and other malicious behavior, although sometimes developers with bad intentions can pass off an app.
Apple's commission for processing in-app payments in the EU App Store will fall in the range of 10-17%
Developers will also be able to choose alternative payment platforms to manage in-app transactions in the EU across all Apple operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS. The commission Apple will take on in-app purchases it processes through its own in-app payment platform, called Apple Tax, will be reduced in the EU compared to the 15-30% range seen in the rest of the EU. world, at 10%-17%. Apple won't collect a cent from in-app transactions made through alternative payment platforms.
[img center inline [[410229]]:”Apple tax on in-app purchases in the EU App Store will drop to a range of 10-17%”]
The 27 member countries of the EU benefit from the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) which requires Apple to make these changes in this market. Another change Apple is making will show users a new “choice screen” the first time they open Safari in iOS 17.4 or later. While EU
iPhone users can already change their default browser outside of Safari, the new “choice page” will draw their attention to the fact that they can choose a default browser and include a list of third-party browsers to help them make this change immediately.
Apple makes it clear that it doesn't like being forced to display the “choice screen” because it means “EU users will be faced with a list of default browsers before having the option to understand the options available to them. The screen also interrupts the experience for EU users the first time they open Safari with the intention of accessing a web page.
EU users will be able to choose a third-party contactless payment app as default
The company also said: “Inevitably, new options for European developer apps create new risks for Apple users and their devices. Apple cannot eliminate these risks, but within the constraints of the DMA, the company will take steps to reduce them. safeguards will be in place when users download iOS 17.4 or later, starting in March…” One of the changes Apple is making in the EU will bring additional malware protections that will prevent iOS apps from launching if they contain malware after been installed on a user's device.
Changes are also coming to iOS in the EU. iPhone users in the EU will be able to choose a third-party contactless payment app to replace Apple Pay and select an alternative default app market to replace the App Store.
Apple Fellow Phil Schiller said: “The changes we are announcing today comply with the requirements of the European Union Digital Markets Act, while helping to protect EU users from inevitable increased privacy and security threats that this regulation brings. Our priority remains creating the best, most secure experience possible for our users in the EU and around the world. Developers can now learn about new tools and terms available for alternative app distribution and alternative payment processing, new features for alternative browser engines and contactless payments, and much more. , developers can choose to keep the same commercial terms in effect today if they wish.”
Apple says all these changes will take place in March.
