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A comment on iOS 26.2 to Allow Third-Party App Stores in Japan Ahead of Regulatory Deadline. Parent comment

Re:iOS 26.2 to Allow Third-Party App Stores in Japan Ahead o... by microtonal on Wednesday November 05, 2025 @09:22AM (#45823147)
For app stores specifically, I don't think people would get apps from other App Stores. Alternative App Stores have been possible on Android, some manufacturers even include their own store (Samsung), but only a tiny subset of users installs apps from another app store or from outside the app store.

For me personally, it is mostly an escape hatch for developers and users. It will keep Apple honest, because if they really mess up the platform, people have the possibility to go elsewhere.

I think the bigger risk for Apple is allowing other payment options within apps that are distributed through the App Store (which I believe is now allowed in the EU among other places)? I think the app store is very sticky, but a lot of people would pick another payment option if is ~30% cheaper.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:iOS 26.2 to Allow Third-Party App Stores in Japan Ahead o... by Zak on Wednesday November 05, 2025 @01:17PM (#45826020)
Apple is also forced to allow alternate payment options in the USA as a result of the Epic lawsuit. The original ruling was fairly permissive about letting Apple set terms and collect fees, but the terms Apple set were so onerous and the fees so high that the judge determined them to be noncompliant and took away Apple's ability to do that.
[ Parent | on HN ]