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The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) forces Apple to allow developers to distribute their apps through alternative app stores (or app marketplaces) in member states. However, these developers must pay a core technology fee to Apple after reaching a certain number of downloads. To make life easier for small developers, AltStore offers his Patreon-backed app.
AltStore App Marketplace now available to EU users through integration with Patreon
For those unfamiliar, AltStore is an alternative app store that has been available on iOS long before DMA was introduced. However, for users in the EU, developer Riley Testut has decided to launch AltStore as his official App Marketplace, following all the guidelines established by Apple under his DMA.
First, Apple announced that it would charge a Core Technology Fee (CTF) of €0.50 per annual install for apps that are popular enough to receive more than 1 million downloads per year. But this worries small developers who may not have enough money to pay the bills if their apps become overnight hits.
To allow developers to pay Apple’s fees and even monetize their apps, Testut said. tech crunch Your app can have custom integration with Patreon, so users can purchase your app. For example, AltStore will soon make beta versions of Delta (a Nintendo emulator) and Clip (a clipboard manager) available to users who pay $3 per month through Patreon.
“This integration will create new business models for apps that would not have been allowed without the DMA coming into force,” Testut said.
EU dissatisfied with Apple’s terms
However, one thing to keep in mind is that Apple may eventually be forced to retire CTF. That’s because the European Commission recently announced that it is not satisfied with the changes Apple has made to become DMA compliant and will investigate the company for non-compliance.
When asked specifically about the risk of bankruptcy for small developers, Apple said it was “committed” to improving conditions for developers in the EU. The company has no plans yet to bring App Marketplace to other countries unless required by law, and the US may come soon.
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