Contemporary off the launch of iOS 17.4 for iPhone on Tuesday, Apple has confirmed that its implementation of other app marketplaces is sure by on-device location information that would see customers lose entry to some options in the event that they journey for too lengthy or relocate.
Apple’s new software program has arrived simply in time for the compliance deadline of the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which has mandated, amongst different issues, that Apple should provide its iPhone builders and prospects the chance to create and set up different app marketplaces past its personal iOS App Retailer. The primary third-party retailer accessible will likely be a business-focused market referred to as Mobivention, which is able to launch on March 7. Additionally coming quickly, MacPaw is bringing its fashionable Mac service Setapp to iPhone.
To accompany the discharge, Apple has supplied a assist document ‘About different app marketplaces within the European Union’ which confirms (as we suspected) that customers who need to entry these new options are sure by on-device location information, together with what occurs whenever you journey or go away the EU long run.
Various app retailer marketplaces — location restrictions
Apple states that to entry different app marketplaces and set up the apps they provide in iOS 17.4 “The nation or area of your Apple ID have to be set to one of many international locations or areas of the European Union, and you should bodily be situated within the European Union.” Whereas the previous appears apparent, the latter is necessary as a result of it prevents different customers worldwide, corresponding to these within the UK or the U.S., from accessing the function just by altering the nation or area of their Apple ID. Apple says “on-device processing” will decide eligibility, that means the corporate doesn’t see your location information.
Apple additionally clarified that customers who “go away the European Union for short-term journey” will proceed to have entry to the function “for a grace interval.” Nevertheless, the corporate warns, “Should you’re gone for too lengthy, you may lose entry to some options” together with putting in new different app marketplaces.
Apple says put in marketplaces “will proceed to perform, however they can not be up to date by {the marketplace} you downloaded it from.” We’ve reached out to Apple to make clear how lengthy this “grace interval” is, however Apple has seemingly constructed no less than some protections to cease customers from shopping for telephones within the EU and taking them overseas to get entry to the function. The corporate was not instantly accessible for remark.
Apple has additional confirmed the complete checklist of eligible international locations and areas that may entry different app marketplaces.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- Åland Islands
- France
- French Guiana
- Guadeloupe
- Martinique
- Mayotte
- Reunion
- Saint Martin
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Eire
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Azores
- Madeira
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Canary Islands
- Sweden
iOS 17.4 is obtainable to all iOS 17 customers, so you do not even want Apple’s finest iPhone to run it. Suitable fashions embrace the iPhone XR and later, in addition to the iPhone SE.
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