AltStore developer: Apple harms iOS users by releasing restrictions on third-party app stores
CTOnews.com, December 16 (Xinhua) under pressure from new European rules, Apple is considering liberalizing restrictions on third-party app stores on devices such as iPhone / iPad next year. Riley Testut, a developer of AltStore, a third-party app store, believes that the move is not good for consumers, but harmful.
CTOnews.com learned that AltStore is an alternative application mall on the iOS platform. Even iPhone models without jailbreak can be installed through some developer tools. If Apple lets go, the average user can install AltStore without any system modifications or some special tricks.
Testut believes that Apple's opening up of third-party app stores is harmful to iOS users. He believes that there are mainly the following reasons:
1. Third-party app stores may "destroy" the user experience
Testut believes that App Store "plays an important role" in ensuring the integrity and security of iOS. Every app on the platform must follow Apple's guidelines and pass a rigorous censorship process. The developer believes that App Store, despite its flaws and shortcomings, is "the only place users can trust".
two。 Payment and distribution issues
The developer believes that there are other app stores on iOS that may "disrupt" the entire experience of users and developers. In addition to security issues, there is also the fact that App Store developers do not have to worry about payment and distribution. It is important for developers not to handle payments or solve distribution problems on their own.
Once Apple liberalizes, technology companies, including Meta, may launch third-party app stores to bypass Apple's existing App Store policy.
3. An app may become exclusive to an app mall.
If the user needs to find an application, it may force the user to install multiple app stores on the device. These companies may also pay other developers to migrate their apps from the official app store to their store.
An app may not be available on App Store. For example, Meta can make Instagram, Facebook and other apps available only in its own app store, and users may need to install more than three app stores.
The creators of AltStore believe that side loading is Apple's best choice to comply with new EU laws while protecting App Store and its developers. Testut believes that forcing users to use Mac side applications will reduce the number of companies interested in publishing applications outside App Store, and that developers like him can easily publish their projects to users.
