Will the U.S. Follow the EU in Allowing Alternative App Stores?

The Apple App Store has long been the only official platform for iPhone and iPad users to download apps. However, new regulations in the European Union (EU) and similar laws in Japan are forcing Apple to open its ecosystem to alternative app stores. This raises a key question: Will the U.S. follow suit?

In this article, we explore this topic in detail to give you a clear understanding of where the iOS ecosystem might be headed in the future.

EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Its Impact

On September 14, 2022, the European Union passed the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to prevent major tech companies like Apple and Google from creating unfair monopolies. Under this law, Apple is required to allow third-party app stores within the EU, giving users the option to sideload apps without jailbreaking their devices.

The biggest benefit of this change is that iOS users will have more control over where they download their apps. Previously, Apple restricted app installations to the App Store only, but now, alternative platforms like Scarlet iOS could become a viable option for users. If you want to stay updated on the latest iOS changes, you can check out iOS 18.3 Beta for more details.

With this update, many users have already gained access to external app stores, and there’s hope that the next stable release will bring full support for third-party app platforms. Interestingly, Japan also introduced a similar law in June 2024, known as the Smartphone Act, targeting tech giants like Apple and Google. Just like the DMA, this law aims to promote fair competition on digital platforms.

Apple’s Control Over the App Store in the U.S.

In the U.S., Apple still has complete control over the iOS ecosystem. Users can only download apps through the App Store, with no official support for alternative app stores or sideloading. This setup creates challenges for developers, especially smaller and independent ones, as Apple takes a 30% commission on every in-app purchase. For many, paying such a high fee makes it difficult to maintain a reasonable profit margin.

However, Apple is already facing legal pressure in the U.S. Several antitrust lawsuits and investigations are underway, aiming to break its monopoly over app distribution.

Will the U.S. Follow the EU’s Policy?

Many U.S. lawmakers and regulators oppose Apple’s tight grip on the App Store. Over the years, several major lawsuits have been filed, emphasizing the need for third-party app stores.

However, unlike the EU and Japan, the U.S. has yet to make a final decision on this matter. A few key factors could influence this debate:

• Regulatory Pressure: The U.S. Congress and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are closely examining Apple’s business model and its impact on competition.
• Developer Demands: Many developers want Apple to either reduce or remove its 30% commission and allow third-party app stores.
• User Control: Users are looking for more flexibility, especially when it comes to sideloading apps without restrictions. This would allow them to install external apps, modified games, and tweak-based applications. While this raises security concerns, there’s no denying that demand for such features is growing.

If the U.S. forces Apple to allow alternative app stores, it could be a big win for Scarlet iOS users, especially since a significant number of them are based in the U.S. Given that Apple has already had to adjust its privacy policies due to EU regulations, it wouldn’t be surprising to see similar changes in the U.S. as well.

How Alternative App Stores Benefit Users

If the U.S. follows the EU’s approach, iOS users will gain several advantages, including:

• More Choices: Users won’t be restricted to the App Store anymore. They’ll have the freedom to use external app stores that better suit their needs.
• Lower Prices: Developers won’t have to pay Apple’s 30% commission, allowing them to offer more affordable services and subscriptions.
• Sideloading Option: Users will be able to install Scarlet iOS and other apps without needing to jailbreak their devices. If you want to learn more about how external app like Scarlet work on apple without Jailbreaking, check out guide on scarletapps.com.
• Security & Privacy Concerns: Apple argues that third-party app stores pose security risks, but as long as users stay careful and avoid malware-infected apps, these risks can be minimized.

Apple’s Response and Possible Roadblocks

Apple is complying with EU regulations because it has no choice, but in the U.S., it will likely do everything it can to protect its App Store monopoly. Some potential hurdles include:

• Security & Privacy Concerns: Apple may claim that allowing external apps could put users at risk by increasing the chances of malware and data breaches.
• Legal Battles: The company might fight back through lawsuits or try to find loopholes in regulations to slow down or limit third-party app stores.
• Technical Restrictions: Just like in the EU, where Apple added new fees and rules for sideloading, it could introduce similar restrictions in the U.S. to make alternative stores harder to use.

The Future of Alternative App Stores in the U.S.

If U.S. lawmakers and courts increase pressure on Apple, there’s a good chance that accessing external apps on iOS devices could become legal in the future. Ongoing lawsuits against Apple will also play a key role in shaping the outcome.

Experts believe that if the U.S. allows third-party app stores, it could also impact trends in jailbreaking and sideloading. If you’re curious about the differences between the two, you can check out our comparison of jailbreaking vs. sideloading to see which method works best for you. We also believe jailbreaking doesn’t have a bright future compared to sideloading.

Conclusion

The EU’s Digital Markets Act poses a significant challenge to Apple’s business model, and its impact could extend to the U.S. as well. If U.S. regulators push Apple to allow other app stores, iOS users will have far more options and flexibility. However, resistance from Apple is expected, making it interesting to see how U.S. lawmakers handle the situation.

If you’re looking to install third-party apps without jailbreaking, understanding how Scarlet iOS works might be helpful. What are your thoughts on the possibility of installing external apps like Scarlet with a certificate on iOS devices in the future? Will the U.S. impose restrictions on Apple, just like the EU? Only time will tell.