Apple: Forget about third-party app store app updates if you're leaving the EU for "too long"

iPhone users in the European Union can now download apps from alternative app stores for the first time, thanks to the new iOS 17.4 update but mostly thanks to DMA). Digital Markets Act aims to promote fair competition in the digital market.

However, there’s a catch: if you’re planning to go on a ‘longer’ vacation, you will struggle with apps downloaded from outside of the App Store. Access to these alternative app stores is limited to users physically located within the EU and whose Apple ID originates from an EU country. 

While Apple hasn’t specified the exact grace period, extended travel outside the EU may lead to restricted access to these app marketplaces, including the inability to install new apps or update existing ones downloaded from them.

If you leave the European Union for short-term travel, you’ll continue to have access to alternative app marketplaces for a grace period. If you’re gone for too long, you’ll lose access to some features, including installing new alternative app marketplaces. Apps you installed from alternative app marketplaces will continue to function, but they can’t be updated by the marketplace you downloaded them from.”

But the real issue is that there are no alternative app marketplaces currently available despite announcements being made months ago; even though the DMA hasn’t been applied yet, it will get into action from tomorrow, i.e., March 7th.

Note: This feature is currently exclusive to iPhones and doesn’t apply to iPads.

All this comes after Apple was fined €1.8B by the EU for abusive App Store rules for music streaming providers, and then Apple appealing the fine, calling Spotify the main beneficiary of the antitrust ruling.

More here.