A new era is dawning for the App Store

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2024 is a very special year that, under the constraint of the European Union, has made its iOS platform more open. Indeed, the Digital Markets Act, the new EU legislation to regulate tech giants, requires Apple to authorize the installation of iOS applications outside the App Store. As a result, currently, if you live in the European Union, you have the possibility to install apps from alternative stores. And some applications can even be installed without going through an app store. On the other hand, the new rules from Brussels concerning app stores could inspire other countries or regions.

In addition to changing the way the iPhone works to comply with European requirements, Apple is also reportedly preparing to revise its organizational chart to better reflect this new situation. At least, that's what a Bloomberg article by Mark Gurman, who cites sources close to the matter, indicates. According to the article, Matt Fischer, Apple's vice president who runs the App Store, is reportedly preparing to leave the company. His departure is reportedly scheduled for October, and Apple is reportedly preparing to split the team led by the vice president into two: one team that would manage the App Store and another that would handle the distribution of applications outside the App Store.

This reorganization would be another way for Apple to comply with the various regulations that concern the distribution of applications on the iPhone, as well as payments on apps.

Apps and games banned on the App Store available in the EU

One of the main benefits of alternatives to the App Store is that these third-party stores can distribute apps that are not authorized by Apple’s official store. For example, the video game Fortnite, which was banned from the App Store in 2020 due to a dispute between Apple and Epic Games over payments, is now available again on iOS in the European Union. Indeed, Epic has launched its own alternative store, called the Epic Games Store. And this alternative store includes Fortnite in its catalog.

“The store launches with Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe, and the all-new Fall Guys for mobile, and we’re working to enable all developers to launch their games and apps through the Epic Games Store in the future. We are also bringing our games to independent mobile stores, including AltStore PAL, today,” Epic’s announcement, published on August 16, reads.