After a court case with Epic Games, Apple simplifies installing third‑party app stores — rejections drop threefold

Epic Games has released new data that, the company asserts, demonstrates Apple deliberately obstructed the installation of third‑party app stores.

After Apple adjusted the installation process under pressure from the European Union, the iOS user failure rate dropped sharply—from 65% to 25%. Epic argues this change proves Apple deliberately complicated the steps to protect the App Store’s monopoly.

The most significant revisions took effect in July with the iOS 18.6 update. The number of steps required to install a third‑party store was reduced from 15 to 6, and the so‑called “fear screen”—warning messages that discouraged users from downloading apps outside the App Store—was removed.

Apple’s move followed concerns raised by the European Commission in April that the company made alternative app distribution unduly confusing and burdensome, in breach of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple had already been fined €500 million for noncompliance with those rules.

Epic contends that even after the rules were relaxed, Apple continues to violate EU regulations by imposing so‑called “junk” fees and discriminating against developers who support competing stores.

Source: iXBT.games