In the face of billions in DMA fines, Apple allows the European Union iPhone to install applications outside the application store

In a stampede to avoid penalties that can rise to billions, and with Brussels organizers closely, Apple agreed to allow Europeans to download iPhone applications from Outside his application store.

With only leaving hours before the final date of the European Union, The company said Residents of the 27 countries will be able to obtain applications Competition markets Or directly off the developer site. The change later begins this year with iOS 18.6 and iPados 18.6, and users also allow users to set a different browser engine and choose an external destination portfolio upon exit.

For the owners of iPhone in the European Union, this means that the download button can appear in places more than just the Apple store interface. After selecting the new setting, iOS displays one -time permission to confirm that you are leaving the Apple market. The application then passes a quick examination of the right time aimed at getting rid of harmful programs. Apple notes that the downloads outside the store only operate within the European Union, and disappear if they remain outside the mass for more than 30 days.

The cost of developers

The developers get new distribution freedom, but there is a price. The new store services fees consisting of two levels require 5 % of external sales against basic services such as applications and support in the so -called level 1, or 13 % for the full package of privileges, including automatic updates and the application store promotions at level 2.

Apple will take a 5 % “basic technology committee” in any purchase that has been performed outside its payment system. This new reduction will lead to the gradual disposal of the current download fees of 0.50 euros and the only fees across the European Union when the unified pricing model arrives on January 1, 2026.

Apple insists that “more than 99 %” of Devs will push the same or less under the renovated mathematics.

Why now?

In April, the European Commission fined Apple 500 million euros ($ 585 million) to ban developers from directing users to cheaper payment options, and warned that daily penalties of up to 5 % of global revenues may be followed if they fail to comply.

Throughout the back period, Apple accused the “Transfer Goals” committee on what is considered compliance, as a company spokesman said that the company had invested Hundreds of thousands of hours To meet the advanced European Union demands.

The CEO of Epic Games Tim Sweeney bombed the 5 % C -Class “Microcarbing Planning” This “makes fun of fair competition.”

If the organizers decide that Apple has not gone far enough, the iPhone may face more severe penalties, or even have to separate its application store business.