AltStore PAL, the third-party iOS app store, has made its official debut in the European Union after successfully complying with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). While installing AltStore PAL may require navigating through Apple’s cautionary screens regarding third-party apps, it is now possible to access this new app marketplace with persistence and a few extra clicks.
Developed by Riley Testut and Shane Gill, AltStore PAL introduces two initial apps: Delta, an emulator capable of running a wide range of Nintendo games, including NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS; and Clip, a clipboard manager that Apple has forbidden on its own App Store. Good news for those who were previously affected by the iGBA incident over the weekend: Delta is now available in Apple’s official App Store for users outside of Europe.
AltStore PAL is also integrating with Patreon for monetization purposes. Furthermore, it supports developers who want to distribute beta apps as a reward for crowd-sourced funding—a practice that is not permitted on the App Store. The €1.50 (plus tax) annual subscription fee for AltStore PAL covers Apple’s Core Technology Fee (CTF) required for the installation of the app marketplace. While Delta can be downloaded for free, Clip requires a minimum monthly Patreon pledge of €1 (plus tax) to access.
AltStore itself is not entirely new, having existed since 2019, but until now, its installation involved workarounds that simulated being the app’s developer. However, thanks to DMA compliance, Delta and Clip now receive a legitimate Apple notarized launch on the AltStore PAL app marketplace. These apps have the potential to showcase the kind of software that can be developed for iPhones outside of Apple’s tight control. Delta, in particular, sits in a legal gray area that Apple has recently chosen to support, while Clip requires workarounds that violate App Store rules to function in the background indefinitely.
AltStore PAL welcomes submissions from third-party developers, allowing them to self-host their apps on their own servers. Users can add additional “sources” to the app marketplace to access software developed by others, providing a dynamic and decentralized platform for app distribution. With AltStore PAL paving the way, new possibilities and opportunities arise for developers and users alike in the ever-evolving world of iOS apps.
The launch of AltStore PAL in the European Union marks a significant development in the third-party iOS app store industry. AltStore PAL, developed by Riley Testut and Shane Gill, offers two initial apps, Delta and Clip, which bring features and functionalities that Apple’s own App Store does not provide.
Delta, the emulator app offered by AltStore PAL, allows users to play a wide range of Nintendo games on their iOS devices. This includes popular games from NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS. It is worth noting that Delta is now also available on Apple’s official App Store for users outside of Europe, which is excellent news for those who were previously affected by any region-specific restrictions.
Clip, another app in AltStore PAL, serves as a clipboard manager—an essential tool that Apple has forbidden on its own App Store. This highlights the limitations and restrictions that can exist within Apple’s tightly controlled environment. However, with AltStore PAL, users now have a legitimate option to access and use this type of app.
One of the key aspects of AltStore PAL is its integration with Patreon for monetization purposes. This allows developers to offer beta apps as rewards for crowd-sourced funding, a practice that is not permitted on the official App Store. By providing developers with alternative options for monetizing their apps, AltStore PAL encourages innovation and offers more freedom to creative minds.
AltStore PAL also facilitates self-hosting for third-party developers. This means that developers can host their apps on their own servers and submit them to AltStore PAL for distribution. Additionally, users can add additional “sources” to the app marketplace to access software developed by others. This decentralized approach to app distribution opens up new possibilities and opportunities for both developers and users.
With AltStore PAL’s compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), it has overcome previous installation limitations and now offers a legitimate and hassle-free user experience. As a result, AltStore PAL can showcase the kind of software that can be developed for iPhones outside of Apple’s control.
Although AltStore itself has been around since 2019, its compliance with the DMA and launch of AltStore PAL has solidified its position as a significant player in the third-party iOS app store industry. As the industry continues to evolve, AltStore PAL represents a dynamic and decentralized platform that pushes the boundaries of what is possible for developers and users in the iOS app world.
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The source of the article is from the blog exofeed.nl