Apple has maintained its iron grip on iPhone software for almost 16 years, but that ended on March 6. That's when Europe's Digital Markets Act (DMA) went into effect, forcing Apple to allow third-party app stores on the iPhone. Apple has now clarified how it will handle iPhones that leave Europe, and it's not messing around. Spend more than 30 days abroad, and you can kiss third-party apps goodbye.
The European Union has designated Apple as one of several "gatekeepers" under the DMA. That subjects the company to specific obligations to ensure fair competition in digital markets. The law also targets Google, Meta, ByteDance, Amazon, and Microsoft. Apple will grudgingly allow third-party app stores in the EU—some companies, like Mobivention and MacPaw, are already spinning up stores for the EU market.
Distribution outside the App Store gives developers and publishers more options, which could lead to higher revenue without paying the full App Store cut. However, that option might not be available to Epic Games, which has had its developer account (and access to necessary tools) blocked. Apple now says Epic has shown itself to be "verifiably untrustworthy," but EU regulators might step in following claims that the ban violates the DMA.
If you don't live in the EU, Apple will ensure you don't get any of those apps. The company has updated a vaguely worded support page with a bit more detail. Previously, the page only said that sideloaded apps would lose some features during "for short-term travel." Now, the page is clear that your access to non-Apple stores will be cut off after 30 days.
A 30-day grace period is long enough that most vacations and travel shouldn't trigger a lockdown, so the number of frustrated customers will be low. If a user remains in the EU, they can keep using their apps happily. Although, even leaving Europe for more than 30 days won't disable sideloaded apps—you just won't be able to download new ones or get updates for what you have installed already.
Apple says it is making a location determination without tracking your location. As of iOS 17.4, Apple's mobile devices use "on-device processing" to determine whether you are in an EU country, and then they report to the mothership. That allows Apple to allow or block alternative app marketplaces. There will likely be workarounds to spoof your phone's location, but Apple won't like that. This could end up another game of cat and mouse reminiscent of Apple's efforts to stop jailbreaking.
