Apple has always protected App Store as the only gateway for applications to your iPhone and iPad. But the European Union has a different opinion, so if you live in Europe, starting with iOS 17.4 you will be able to install applications from the App Store. But also because alternative app stores. What has always existed unofficially and through jail break. But now it will be easier for the average user.
IN Android This is what many of us are used to. You can install applications and games from Google Play store. But you can also do this by directly downloading the APK installer or installing alternative stores such as F-droid or Aptoid. But until now, this was unthinkable on iOS. Either you installed the app or game from the App Store or you had to use the installation methods. prison break-in. Something that voids your iPhone’s warranty.
Ability to install applications from alternative app stores will make us capable choose from a larger selection tools, games and utilities for everyday life. As can be seen from the press release that Apple released at the end of January, we will be able to install new stores, download applications from these stores instead of the App Store, and, in addition, make payments from applications bypassing the App Store. App Store or Apple Pay. But remember, only if you live in the European Union.
Security versus freedom of choice
Apple has always been reluctant to allow alternative app stores. Their main argument is that these changes “open up new ways for malwareHe fraud And fraud, illegal and harmful contentand other privacy and security threats.” However, the European Union is forcing Apple to open iOS to alternative stores, so it has had to implement security improvements.
Moreover: Apple warns us that “all apps that appear in alternative app markets sent for certification to Apple. Certification is a benchmark that applies to all applications, regardless of distribution channel, and is aimed at security and privacy policy platform, the purpose of which is to maintain the integrity of the device. Through a combination of automated checks and human analysis, certification helps ensure that applications free of malware, viruses and other security risks known to work as promised and not expose users to blatant fraud.”
Apple reminds us that shopping you do on the street from the App Store are not compatible with Apple. That is, purchase history, technical support and other additional services related to downloads from alternative stores do not apply to Apple. This will depend on each app store which you installed. The same thing happens with updates. For example: “You may have to manually open an alternative app store to update each app one at a time.”
Install alternative app stores
For install an alternative app store we will have to open a web browser. At this time, Apple has no plans to include these stores in the App Store as another app. However, the process is not as complicated as it might seem. Once we open the web browser, we go to the web page that hosts the store we want to install. At this address we will find the download link.
For security purposes, a “message that you need to approve” the installation will appear on the screen. This means that you will have to go to settings and tap the message which you will see to “approve store” at the top of the screen. You will see an extensive message explaining what it consists of, its pros and cons, etc. At the end you will see a button or link Let. Confirm your choice and return to your web browser, this time following the onscreen instructions to install the alternative app store.
Thus, to install alternative app stores:
- Open your web browser.
- Enter the address of the alternative app store.
- Click on the download or install button.
- You will see an approval message.
- Go to Settings.
- Click on the message to confirm the installation.
- Click on Let agree to use an alternative store.
- Return to your web browser.
- Click the download or install button again.
- Follow the instructions.
- Once complete, you will see a new app store icon.
What alternative stores can I open?
At the time of this writing, the iOS 17.4 update has just been released, opening up the ability to install alternative app stores. So it’s too early to create alternative stores. For now. For several months now, some developers have announced their intentions have your own app store. But we will have to wait a few days to see them published.
The most promising alternative app store and the only one we know of so far belongs to McPaw, a Ukrainian company developing applications for Apple devices. It currently has Setapp, a subscription-based app store. For one monthly fee you can use all of their apps. Over 240 apps for Mac. Their intention is to do something similar in iOS for iPhone and iPad. Offer Setapp as an app store subscribe to all applications or at least install the ones you choose. Currently, to access Setapp for iOS, you need to sign up for the waitlist.
Source: Hiper Textual
I’m Ben Stock, a highly experienced and passionate journalist with a career in the news industry spanning more than 10 years. I specialize in writing content for websites, including researching and interviewing sources to produce engaging articles. My current role is as an author at Gadget Onus, where I mainly cover the mobile section.
