Key Highlights
- The iOS 17.4 update now allows third-party app stores on iPhones in the EU, with AltStore being among the first to debut.
- While installing AltStore may not be as simple as regular apps, future downloads are expected to be more streamlined.
- AltStore presents exclusive apps like the Delta gaming emulator and Clip clipboard manager, all verified by Apple for security.
Apple has made a significant move with the release of iOS 17.4 by permitting the use of third-party app stores on iPhones, specifically in the EU. This marks a departure from the traditional reliance on the Apple App Store. Companies such as Epic Games and MacPaw (Setapp) are gearing up to introduce their own app stores to the iPhone platform, with AltStore now joining the fray for European users.
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The developer behind AltStore, Riley Testut, known for similar third-party app platforms for macOS and Windows, is introducing AltStore for iPhones in Europe. The app is expected to be downloadable from the AltStore site, pending approval from Apple. Once greenlit, AltStore is poised to become one of the primary third-party app stores accessible in the EU post iOS 17.4 update.
The process of installing AltStore on your iPhone may differ from standard app installations. Per The Verge’s Callum Booth, initiate the installation by visiting the company’s site, allowing the installation in your device settings, and then proceeding with the download link on the browser. Once this step is complete, you can access AltStore to view the available apps.
However, future app installations via AltStore are anticipated to be more user-friendly. The process is akin to the App Store – navigate to the app page and click “install” to start the download. AltStore also allows for the addition of “sources,” enabling the incorporation of additional “app stores” within AltStore, a concept Booth likens to “stores within a store.”
While the feature to add app store sources won’t be immediately available at launch, Testut plans to introduce this functionality shortly. Presently, AltStore offers a selection of unique apps not found on the Apple App Store, such as Delta, enabling users to play classic Nintendo and SEGA console games. Another standout is Clip, a clipboard manager tool.
The reception of third-party app stores among Europeans remains to be observed. Notably, apps on these platforms are vetted by Apple to ensure baseline security against malware and potential threats. AltStore’s Clip underwent adjustments before being listed, emphasizing that third-party stores aren’t inherently risky but may not offer the same security measures as Apple’s official App Store.
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