Apple today released the second developer beta of the iOS 17.5 update, poised to publicly launch next month. Today’s beta enables Web Distribution for iPhone users based in the European Union, which enables them to download apps directly from developers’ websites without the need to use the App Store or install alternative app marketplaces first.
iPhone users in the EU will get to download apps directly from the internet once iOS 17.5 launches to the public. Web Distribution will be accessible to certain developers who meet new criteria set by Apple. This includes developers who have been members of the Apple Developer Program for at least two continuous years and have at least one app with more than one million downloads on iOS in the EU.
Apple says that developers who intend to make use of Web Distribution will be allowed to make their apps available from websites that they own themselves. Apple will issue compliant developers with APIs that enable Web Distribution in due time. Those APIs will allow web-downloaded apps to integrate with system functionality on iOS 17.5 with support for app backups, restores, updates, and more.
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Users who wish to download apps through Web Distribution will have to grant developers explicit permission to do so through the Settings app. When attempting to download an app through the web, users will be presented with a system sheet that showcases the app’s description, developer details, screenshots, and other relevant details.
Apple is offering these updates in further compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which introduced massive changes to the iPhone’s app ecosystem in Europe with the launch of iOS 17.4 last month. Web Distribution will still be limited to iPhone users in Europe, with Apple planning more DMA-required changes to iOS and its services. These planned changes, set to roll out within the next year, will include making it easier for iPhone users to switch to Android in addition to further changes to Safari and Maps.
