The EU's Digital Markets Act Gives Us New Choices: Exploring iOS Apps with AltStore

The EU's Digital Markets Act Gives Us New Choices: Exploring iOS Apps with AltStoreThe European Union recently passed the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a new law requiring device manufacturers to allow open app ecosystems, enabling users to download apps from other software marketplaces. The laws passage stems from complaints from several European countries about Apples closed AppStore monopoly that limited competition

The EU's Digital Markets Act Gives Us New Choices: Exploring iOS Apps with AltStore

The European Union recently passed the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a new law requiring device manufacturers to allow open app ecosystems, enabling users to download apps from other software marketplaces. The laws passage stems from complaints from several European countries about Apples closed AppStore monopoly that limited competition. According to the DMA, device manufacturers must allow apps to be sideloaded onto mobile devices in an open manner from third-party app stores. Sideloading means installing apps from places other than the device or operating system makers own software store. Several of these alternative app stores have emerged for iOS devices, with AltStore being a notable example.

AltStore: An Independent iOS App Store

AltStore is a third-party app store developed by Riley Testut, who is also the author of Delta, the popular Nintendo GameBoy iOS emulator. AltStore is available in two versions: AltStorePAL for users in EU countries and AltStore for users in other countries.

To use AltStorePAL, you need to meet the following conditions:

• Be located within an EU country without using a VPN.

• Log in to an EU App Store account.

• Run iOS 17.4 or later.

Most of the same restrictions apply to using AltStore outside of the EU besides using a VPN and any AppStore account other than an EU one.

Installing AltStore Outside of the EU

To install AltStore on an iOS device outside of the EU, you need a Mac or Windows computer to run the AltServer application. AltServer will install the iOS version of AltStore onto your iOS device.

Limitations of AltStore

There's a significant limitation with AltStorea limitation imposed by Apple: only three sideloaded apps can be installed on a device at a time. This can be inconvenient, but you can work around it by disabling apps you don't use frequently, freeing up space for more applications. You can always reactivate them later as needed.

Installing AltStore:

Heres how to install AltStore on your iOS device:

1. Preparation:

• Ensure your iOS device is connected to the internet.

• Install the AltServer application on your Mac or Windows computer.

• Download and install the Apple Music app.

• Ensure your Apple device is running the latest version of iOS.

• Enable Developer Mode on your iOS device.

2. Enable Developer Mode:

• Open the Settings app on your iOS device.

• Scroll to and tap on Privacy & Security.

• Tap Developer Mode on the right.

• Tap Developer Mode and enable the switch.

3. Connect your iOS device:

• Connect your iOS device to your Mac via USB cable and run Apple Music.

• Select your iOS device in the sidebar on the left of the Apple Music window.

• Click the Open in Finder button on the right side of the AppleMusic window.

• Click on your iOS device in Finder and ensure the Show this iPhone over Wi-Fi checkbox is enabled.

4. Enter Apple Account Information:

• When you perform step 3, you will be prompted to enter your Apple account login and password. This information will not be read or saved by the developer; it will only be sent to Apple to configure your Apple account to allow sideloading apps.

5. Run AltServer:

• Unzip the MacOS or Windows version of the AltServer application downloaded from the website and run it.

• When running the MacOS version of AltServer, it will add a small icon to the top right corner of your Mac's menu bar.

• Clicking this icon will bring up a menu, with one menu item being Install AltStore .

• Select Install AltStore, and you should see your connected iOS device in its submenu. Select the device.

6. Trust the Developer:

• You may get a prompt on your iOS device saying "Developer untrusted" because you are installing an app not approved by the Apple AppStore.

• You may get a prompt saying that you can't install the app because your device management settings don't allow it from this developer.

• If so, go back to your Settings app and tap on General -> VPN & Device Management -> Developer Apps.

• In the next pane, you will see a list of AltStore apps. Click Trust to verify the app.

7. Finish the Installation:

• After the AltStore app is verified, your own Apple account email address will be listed below the Device Management pane.

• This completes the process of installing AltStore on your iOS device from your Mac.

8. Using AltStore:

• Go back to your iOS home screen, tap the AltStore app icon to run it.

• You will get a prompt asking if you want to allow AltStore to connect to devices on your local network. Tap Allow.

• You will get a similar notification prompt next. Tap Allow as well.

• AltStore also needs to connect to the network on your iOS device. Ensure your Wi-Fi is on and connected to a network.

• Tap "Allow Notifications" and dismiss the reminder, AltStore will be able to run and use.

• Tap "Settings" on the bottom tab bar of the AltStore app on your iOS device and sign in to your Apple account.

• You can browse AltStore apps and see which apps you have installed.

App Expiration and the Role of AltServer

• Apps installed from AltStore will expire after seven days.

• For the EU version of AltStore, there will be a grace period after you leave the EU, and then the apps will stop working. If that happens, you will need to reactivate them when you return.

• For non-EU versions of AltStore, you will also need to keep AltServer running on your computer to install, refresh, activate, or deactivate AltStore apps.

Advantages of AltStore

• AltStore provides an independent iOS app store, giving users more app options to explore.

• AltStore is relatively simple to install and has well-documented instructions.

• AltStore provides a platform for developers to distribute their apps to users without going through Apple's App Store review process.

Conclusion

The passage of the EU's Digital Markets Act marks a significant milestone for the openness of mobile operating systems. Third-party app stores like AltStore provide users with more options, giving them the freedom to choose where they get their apps. As the App Store ecosystem becomes more open, we can expect to see more third-party app stores like AltStore emerging, offering users more choices.