Jiří Filip Apple today announced changes to iOS, Safari and the App Store that impact apps developed by European Union (EU) developers to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The changes include more than 600 new APIs, enhanced app analytics, features for alternative browsers, and app payment processing and app distribution capabilities for iOS. As part of each change, Apple introduces new safeguards that reduce – but do not eliminate – the new risks that DMA poses to users in the EU. With these steps, Apple will continue to provide the best and most secure services to users in the EU.
New payment processing and app download capabilities in iOS open up new opportunities for malware, scams and fraud, illegal and harmful content, and other privacy and security threats. That's why Apple is putting in place safeguards – including iOS app notarization, marketplace developer authorization and alternative payment disclosures – to reduce risks and provide the best and safest experience for EU users. Even after these safeguards are in place, many risks remain.
Developers can learn about these changes on Apple's developer support page and can start testing the new features in iOS 17.4 beta today. The new features will be available to users in 27 EU countries from March 2024.
"The changes we are announcing today are in line with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act in the European Union, while helping to protect EU users from the inevitable increased privacy and security threats this regulation brings. Our priority remains to create the best and most secure environment for our users in the EU and around the world," said Phil Schiller, an associate at Apple. “Developers can now learn about the new tools and terms available for alternative app distribution and alternative payment processing, new alternative browser and contactless payment options, and more. What's important is that developers can choose to stick with the same terms of business as they are today if that suits them.”
The changes for EU apps reflect the European Commission's designation of iOS, Safari and the App Store as "essential platform services" under the Digital Markets Act. In March, Apple will share new resources to help EU users understand the changes they can expect. These include guidance to help EU users navigate the complexities brought about by changes to the Digital Platform Act - including a less intuitive user experience - and best practices on how to approach the new risks associated with app downloads and payment processing outside of the App Store.
Available for developer apps worldwide, Apple also announced new game streaming capabilities and more than 50 upcoming releases in areas such as engagement, commerce, app usage and more.
Changes in iOS
In the EU, Apple is making a number of changes to iOS to meet DMA requirements. For developers, these changes include new options for app distribution. Upcoming changes to iOS in the EU include:
New options for distributing iOS apps from alternative marketplaces – including new APIs and tools to allow developers to offer their iOS apps for download from alternative marketplaces.
A new framework and API for creating alternative app marketplaces – allow marketplace developers to install apps and manage updates on behalf of other developers from their dedicated marketplace app.
New frameworks and APIs for alternative browsers - allow developers to use browsers other than WebKit for browser apps and apps with an in-app browsing experience.
Interoperability Request Form – developers can enter additional requests for interoperability with iPhone and iOS hardware and software features here.
As announced by the European Commission, Apple is also sharing DMA compliance changes that impact contactless payments. This includes a new API allowing developers to use NFC technology in banking apps and wallets across the European Economic Area. And in the EU, Apple is introducing new controls that allow users to choose a third-party app — or an alternative app marketplace — as their default app for contactless payments.
New options for EU developer apps inevitably create new risks for Apple users and their devices. Apple cannot eliminate these risks, but will take steps to reduce them within the limits set by the DMA. These safeguards will be in place once users download iOS 17.4 or later, starting in March, and include:
Notarization of iOS applications – a basic control that applies to all applications regardless of their distribution channel, focused on platform integrity and user protection. Notarization involves a combination of automated checks and human review.
Application installation sheets – which use information from the notarization process to provide a clear description of apps and their features before download, including developer, screenshots, and other essential information.
Authorization for developers in the marketplaces – to ensure that developers in marketplaces commit to ongoing requirements that help protect users and developers.
Additional protection against malware – which prevents iOS apps from running if they are found to contain malware after being installed on a user's device.
These protections – including iOS app notarization and marketplace developer authorization – help reduce some of the risks to the privacy and security of iOS users in the EU. This includes threats such as malware or malicious code, and the risks of installing apps that distort their functionality or the developer responsible.
However, Apple has less ability to address other risks—including apps that contain fraud, deception, and abuse, or that expose users to illegal, inappropriate, or harmful content. In addition, applications that use alternative browsers - other than Apple's WebKit - may negatively affect the user experience, including impacts on system performance and battery life.
Within the limits set by the DMA, Apple is committed to protecting the privacy, security and quality of the iOS user experience in the EU as much as possible. For example, App Tracking Transparency will continue to work for apps distributed outside of the App Store—requiring a user's consent before a developer can track their data in apps or on websites. However, DMA requirements mean that App Store features – including family shopping sharing and Ask to Buy features – will not be compatible with apps downloaded outside of the App Store.
When these changes go into effect in March, Apple will share more detailed resources explaining the options available to users — including best practices for protecting their privacy and security.
Changes in the Safari browser
Today, iOS users already have the option to set an application other than Safari as their default web browser. In line with DMA requirements, Apple is also introducing a new selection screen that appears when you first open Safari in iOS 17.4 or later. This screen prompts EU users to select their default browser from a list of options.
This change is a consequence of DMA requirements and means that EU users will be confronted with a list of default browsers before they have a chance to understand the options available to them. The screen will also interrupt the experience of EU users when they first open Safari with the intention of going to a web page.
Changes in the App Store
In the App Store, Apple is sharing a series of changes for EU app developers that apply to apps across Apple's operating systems – including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS. The changes also include new information informing users in the EU about the risks associated with using alternatives to secure payment processing in the App Store.
For developers, these changes include:
- New ways to use payment service providers (PSP) – within the developer's application to process payments for digital goods and services.
- New payment processing options via link-out – when users can complete a transaction for digital goods and services on the developer's external website. Developers can also inform users in the EU about promotions, discounts and other offers available outside of their apps.
- Tools for business planning – for developers to estimate fees and understand the metrics associated with Apple's new terms of business for EU apps.
- The changes also include new steps to protect and inform users in the EU, including: labels on App Store product pages – that inform users that the app they are downloading uses alternative payment processing methods.
- Information sheets in applications – that inform users when they are no longer transacting with Apple and when the developer refers them to transact with an alternative payment processor.
- New application review processes – to verify that developers are accurately reporting information about transactions that use alternative payment processors.
- Expanded data portability on the Apple Data & Privacy website – where EU users can obtain new data about their use of the App Store and export it to an authorized third party.
For apps that use alternative payment processing methods, Apple will not be able to provide refunds and will be less able to support customers who experience problems, fraud or fraud. These transactions will also not reflect useful features of the App Store, such as Report a problem, Family sharing, and Request a purchase. Users may have to share their payment information with other parties, creating more opportunities for bad actors to steal sensitive financial information. And in the App Store, users' purchase history and subscription management will only reflect transactions made using the App Store in-app purchase system.
New business conditions for applications in the EU
Apple also published new business terms for developer apps in the European Union today. Developers can choose to accept these new terms of business or stick with Apple's existing terms. Developers must accept the new terms of business for EU applications in order to take advantage of new alternative distribution or alternative payment processing options.
The new terms of business for EU applications are necessary to support the DMA's requirements for alternative distribution and payment processing. This includes a fee structure that reflects the many ways Apple creates value for developers' businesses—including App Store distribution and search, secure App Store payment processing, Apple's trusted and secure mobile platform, and all the tools and technologies for creating and sharing innovative applications with users around the world.
Developers operating under both terms of business can continue to use secure payment processing in the App Store and share their apps in the EU App Store. And both sets of terms reflect Apple's long-standing commitment to making the app ecosystem the best opportunity for all developers.
Developers operating under the new business terms will be able to distribute their iOS apps from the App Store and/or alternative app marketplaces. These developers can also choose to use alternative payment processors across Apple's operating systems in their EU apps on the App Store.
The new terms of business for iOS apps in the EU have three elements:
- Reduced commission - iOS apps in the App Store will pay a reduced commission of 10% (for the vast majority of developers and subscriptions after the first year) or 17% on transactions for digital goods and services.
- Payment processing fee – iOS apps in the App Store can use App Store payment processing for an additional 3 percent fee. Developers can use payment service providers within their app or refer users to their website to process payments at no additional cost to Apple.
- Basic technology fee – iOS apps distributed from the App Store and/or an alternative app marketplace will pay €0,50 for each first annual install per year above the 1 million mark.
Developers of apps for iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS in the EU who process payments using PSP or a link to their website will receive a three percent discount on the commission owed to Apple.
Apple is also sharing a fee calculation tool and new reports to help developers estimate the potential impact of the new business terms on their app business. Developers can learn more about the changes for EU apps on Apple's new developer support page and can start testing these features in the iOS 17.4 beta today.
