AltStore PAL, a third-party iOS app store, has officially launched in the European Union after successful beta testing. This new app marketplace, developed by Riley Testut and Shane Gill, is now live thanks to Apple’s compliance with the region’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). With the arrival of AltStore PAL, users in the EU can access two new apps: Delta, an emulator capable of playing various games, and Clip, a clipboard manager that’s forbidden by Apple.
Installation Process and Features
Installing AltStore PAL requires users to navigate through Apple’s cautionary messages, which may seem cumbersome and intrusive. However, with enough persistence, users can successfully install the app marketplace. Delta, the emulator available on AltStore PAL, supports playing games from NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS. On the other hand, Clip, the clipboard manager, requires a minimum monthly Patreon pledge for access.
AltStore PAL is integrating with Patreon for monetization and will support developers who wish to distribute beta apps as a reward for crowd-funded support. Testut plans to charge an annual fee to cover Apple’s Core Technology Fee for the installation of AltStore PAL. The marketplace aims to offer a platform for developers to showcase their apps outside of Apple’s centralized App Store.
Legitimacy and Compliance
Before the launch of AltStore PAL, installing AltStore required a workaround that involved tricking the iPhone into recognizing the user as the app’s developer. However, with the advent of the DMA, Delta and Clip now have a legitimate Apple-notarized launch in the EU. While Delta operates in a legal gray area as a game emulator, Clip uses workarounds that violate App Store rules. Users are encouraged to consider the implications of using such apps and the level of trust required.
AltStore PAL is open to submissions from third-party developers, offering a decentralized approach to app hosting. Unlike Apple’s App Store, developers can self-host their apps on their servers and users can add additional sources to the app marketplace for downloading software from other developers. This shift in app distribution highlights the possibilities for innovation and creativity on iOS devices without solely relying on Apple’s strict guidelines.
The launch of AltStore PAL in the EU signifies a step towards a more open and diverse app ecosystem on iOS devices. With new apps like Delta and Clip pushing the boundaries of what is traditionally allowed on Apple’s platform, users have the opportunity to explore a wider range of software options. It will be interesting to see how AltStore PAL evolves and the impact it has on the app development community in the future.
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