Another app store alternative for iPhones is launching in the EU: Aptoide, a provider known from Android, is now making the app store of the same name available for download for iOS. The website currently states that the launch will not take place until June 6th and that you will have to put your name on a waiting list, with only limited access to begin with – but the app could be installed directly on an iPhone belonging to the Mac & i editorial team.
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In contrast to the Android version, the iOS store currently only games to be foundand only eight of them. It remains unclear whether apps from other categories will appear there in the future. The provider promises that new apps and games will be added every day. The homepage currently advertises “Games of the Week”, but these cannot be downloaded on iPhones.
Aptoide with its own in-app purchases
Apps downloaded from Aptoide can offer in-app purchases, which the provider bills directly – for example by credit card or PayPal. Apple has so far strictly prohibited this; in-app purchases could only be paid for via the iPhone manufacturer’s payment interface. Apple’s commission is also tied to this. Under pressure from regulators, Apple now allows external links for purchases, but continues to charge a high commission for such purchases on the web.
Apps distributed via sideloading or on alternative app marketplaces can now bill in-app purchases directly for the first time, without having to pay commission to Apple. However, a new, equally controversial fee model from the iPhone company applies here, which for the first time bills based on app installations. App marketplaces have to pay Apple 50 cents (per year) for each new installation on an iPhone, and individual apps also have to pay as soon as they exceed the 1 million downloads mark.
Still little choice in alternative app stores
Apple has approved the in-house purchasing interface, Aptoide emphasized to The Verge. An SDK is provided to developers. Bonus systems and in-game currencies also appear to be a main business model for the provider. Aptoide also apparently charges developers a commission or fee for in-app purchases – how high this is remains unclear for the time being.
Since the Digital Markets Act came into effect in early March, Aptoide has become the fourth alternative app marketplace for iPhones in the EU. However, none of them are truly freely available: access to AltStore PAL is only available as an annual subscription, Setapp is still in the closed beta phase, and Mobivention is only available specifically for corporate customers.
(lbe)