Setapp Planning to Launch Alternative App Store for iOS in Europe

App subscription service Setapp today announced plans to launch an alternative app store for iOS and iPadOS in 2024.

Setapp Europe Feature 1
The European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into effect on November 1, 2022, requires "gatekeeper" companies to open up their services and platforms to other companies and developers. The DMA will have a significant impact on Apple's platforms, and it could result in Apple being forced to make major changes to the ‌App Store‌, Messages, FaceTime, Siri, and more.

Apple is expected to be compelled to allow users to download apps from outside its official ‌App Store‌. Otherwise known as sideloading, the change would allow customers to download apps without needing to use the ‌App Store‌, which would mean developers wouldn't need to pay Apple's 15 to 30 percent fees.

Apple is believed to be planning to implement sideloading support in iOS 17 to comply with the new European regulations by next year. Apple must comply with the DMA or it risks fines of as much as 20 percent of its global revenue.

Setapp offers a large collection of Mac apps in a single subscription service. The company's new app store for iOS and iPadOS will ensure that users can access universal Setapp apps on other devices, as well as a range of apps new to the Setapp catalog from over 30 developers.

Users interested in being among the first to try Setapp's alternative app store once it is available can now sign up to a waiting list. It will be available in the European Union only.

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:12 pm PST by
Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previo...
airtag purple

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year With These New Features

Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development. Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag. Timing Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

No, Apple CEO Tim Cook Didn't Say He Prefers Logitech's MX Master 3 Over the Magic Mouse

Sunday November 17, 2024 3:03 pm PST by
While the Logitech MX Master 3 is a terrific mouse for the Mac, reports claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook prefers that mouse over the Magic Mouse are false. The Wall Street Journal last month published an interview with Cook, in which he said he uses every Apple product every day. Soon after, The Verge's Wes Davis attempted to replicate using every Apple product in a single day. During that...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Releases iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 With Security Fixes

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that debuted earlier in September. iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 come three weeks after the launch of iOS 18.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 17.7.2 for...
at t turbo indicator iphone 16 pro max v0 8hrh7w5f3w1e1

AT&T Turbo Indicator Showing Up in iPhone Status Bar for Subscribers

Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:42 am PST by
AT&T has begun displaying "Turbo" in the iPhone carrier label for customers subscribed to its premium network prioritization service, according to reports on Reddit. The new indicator seems to have started appearing after users updated to iOS 18.1.1, but that could be just coincidence. Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476 The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through ...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

Monday November 18, 2024 1:07 pm PST by
In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick. "We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote. If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be ...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerabilities

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:52 am PST by
The iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 updates that Apple released today address JavaScriptCore and WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says have been actively exploited on some devices. With the JavaScriptCore vulnerability, processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebKit vulnerability had the same issue with maliciously crafted...

Top Rated Comments

Spaceboi Scaphandre Avatar
17 months ago

re: DMA - I think that is a dumb move. I am not comfortable having a "side load" on my iPhone due to security issues.
Well it's a good thing YOU DON'T HAVE TO. Just like on Android it is completely optional. You don't want to sideload, you don't have to. Keep the toggle off and stick with the Apple App Store. But it's there if you want to ever change your mind and want to venture outside of the walled garden.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
17 months ago

re: DMA - I think that is a dumb move. I am not comfortable having a "side load" on my iPhone due to security issues.
Yeah, this is a dumb move by the DMA. No iPhone user should be forced to get their apps from Setapp and....

Wait a second. You're not being forced to use Setapp. Or sideload. Or do anything. This is being provided as an option to Apple's App Store.

Option ('https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/option'):
1. an act of choosing
2. the power or right to choose : freedom of choice
3. something that may be chosen: such as
a : an alternative course of action
b : an item that is offered in addition to or in place of standard equipment



Don't feel comfortable using Setapp? Don't use it, use the Apple App Store instead.

Crazy that consumers would complain about having more options.

Attachment Image
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Akrapovic Avatar
17 months ago

If you are in America, it won’t bother you then and you can stay nice and comfy. For us in Europe, this will provide greater flexibility and usability for our IOS devices.

Setapp are based in Cork in Ireland!! Yay!!!!
SetApp are Ukranian (they're MacPaw). The company is registered in Ireland for tax purposes.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
17 months ago

Wrong. There's much more opportunities for fraud on mobile devices. There's much devices available. More verifications won't do it. Just watch fraud videos on YouTube. So much people are still clicking on email links. It's a business on itself.

Yes very true. Leave the Walled Garden at your own risk. I’ve heard one identity theft hack will negatively affect you and your credit for the rest of your life. No thanks!
I agree. Just look at all scam/fake apps and the fraud being perpetrated on the Google Play Store.

https://www.macrumors.com/2022/02/21/indie-developer-scam-clone-app-store/

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/02/09/scam-apps-ios-making-millions-revenue/

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/03/30/bitcoin-scam-app-costs-iphone-user-life-savings/

https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/26/ios-app-store-ad-fraud/

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/03/18/apple-hit-with-lawsuit-from-developer

https://www.macrumors.com/2022/02/21/indie-developer-scam-clone-app-store/

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/04/07/developer-highlights-scam-apps-iap/


Oh, wait. This is Apple's App Store. ?
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iZac Avatar
17 months ago
I hope the UK is still considered part of ‘Europe
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Spaceboi Scaphandre Avatar
17 months ago
Forget Setapp. How about Cydia? I'd kill for Cydia to finally become a legit alternative app store, no longer requiring jailbreaking
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)