Apple to Let EU Developers Distribute Apps to Users Directly From a Website

Apple has announced an upcoming Web Distribution feature that will let developers distribute their iOS apps to EU users directly from a website the developer owns and operates. The feature is scheduled to arrive via a software update later this spring.

Apple will provide access to APIs that facilitate the distribution of developers' apps from the web, integrate with system functionality, back up and restore users' apps, and more. Apps offered through Web Distribution must meet Notarization requirements to protect platform integrity, like all iOS apps, and can only be installed from a website domain that the developer has registered in App Store Connect.

Developers will be able to download signed binary assets from App Store Connect and host them on their website.


Users will be able to install apps from a website after approving the developer to install apps in Settings on their iPhone. When installing an app, a system sheet will display information that developers have submitted to Apple for review, like the app name, developer name, app description, screenshots, and system age rating.

Notably, only EU entities qualify for Web Distribution. Also, developers must be a member in good standing of the Apple Developer Program for at least two years and have an app that saw over one million downloads in the last year.

Here's a closer look at the eligibility requirements...

Eligibility and requirements
Distributing apps directly from a website requires responsibility and oversight of the user experience, including the ability to manage apps and provide customer support and refunds. Apple will authorize developers after meeting specific criteria and committing to ongoing requirements that help protect users.


If you're interested in using Web Distribution, please review the requirements to qualify. Later this spring, the Account Holder of your Apple Developer Program membership can request access for Web Distribution.

To be eligible for Web Distribution, you must:
● Be enrolled in the Apple Developer Program as an organization incorporated, domiciled, and or registered in the EU (or have a subsidiary legal entity incorporated, domiciled, and or registered in the EU that's listed in App Store Connect). The location associated with your legal entity is listed in your Apple Developer account.
● Be a member of good standing in the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more, and have an app that had more than one million first annual installs on iOS in the EU in the prior calendar year.
● Agree to, among other things,
○ Only offer apps from your developer account.
○ Be responsive to communications from Apple regarding your apps distributed through Web Distribution, particularly regarding any fraudulent, malicious, or illegal behavior, or anything else that Apple believes impacts the safety, security, or privacy of users.
○ Publish transparent data collection policies and offer users control over how their data is collected and used.
○ Follow applicable laws of the jurisdictions where you operate (for example, the Digital Services Act, the General Data Protection Regulation, and consumer protection laws).
○ Be responsible for handling governmental and other requests to take down listings of apps

Notably, apps with over one million first annual install per year are subject to a Core Technology Fee of €0.50 for each first annual install over one million in the past 12 months. Developer's using Web Distribution are responsible to collect, report, and remit any required tax to the appropriate tax authorities for transactions that take place.

More details at the link below...

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