"Apple's Game-Changing Updates for iOS and the App Store in the EU"

Apple is set to introduce major changes to its app ecosystem in response to the EU's Digital Markets Act, allowing third-party app stores on iOS for the first time with the arrival of iOS 17.4 in March. Users will be able to download alternative app marketplaces, subject to Apple's approval process, and can set a non-App Store marketplace as the default on their device. Developers can choose to use Apple's payment services or integrate a third-party system without paying an additional fee, but will face a 3 percent processing fee if they stick with Apple's in-app payment system. Apple will still oversee the app distribution process, requiring all apps to be "notarized" and managed by its systems, while developers of alternative app marketplaces must provide financial guarantees.