Apple finally lets people use third-party browsers unhindered – but only in the EU and not because it wants to
For iOS 17.4, Apple is making major changes to iPhones in the EU, including finally giving users the ability to use native third-party browsers on their phone.
You may be wondering, “Aren’t there already third-party browsers on iOS?” Not exactly. The way things currently work is that developers have to rework their software to run on the WebKit framework, effectively turning browsers like Chrome on iOS into a revamped Safari. As a result, features that work fine on Android won’t work on iOS. But in the future, the tech giant will allow companies to use their own engines “for browser apps and apps with in-app browsing experiences.” Moreover, during installation, people can set their favorite browser as the default browser on iPhone. You are no longer tied to Safari.
This is a big problem for the everyday user. It means Google Chrome, the most popular browser in the world, will be able to deliver the intended experience on iOS for the first time. This of course also applies to other apps that run on the Chromium engine, such as Edge and Opera. Independent options like Firefox are also part of this group.
Before developers can rush their untethered software to the App Store, Apple must approve it. A new support page on the Apple Developer website details all the criteria teams must meet. It’s quite a long document, but the main takeaway is that browsers should provide strong protection for iPhone owners, block third-party cookies, and be exclusive to the European Union.
App Store upgrade
As for the other changes, they revolve around various App Store upgrades
Apple will now let people install apps from “alternative app marketplaces” like the Google Play Store. However, there is a catch. Software downloaded from outside the App Store “will not be compatible” with the platform’s features such as Ask to Buy or Family Purchase Sharing.
Any app from a third party app store must meet “Notarization Requirements” before being allowed on iPhones, according to 9To5Mac. The process involves passing multiple automated checks and a human review. Development teams must prove that their app is secure, fully functional, and accurately represents their capabilities (no quick attacks on humans). Once everything is in order, companies can freely distribute their services to their preferred marketplace.
As for app sideloading, Apple’s announcement doesn’t address the topic at all. A recent Wall Street Journal report revealed that the tech giant plans to introduce fees on platforms that allow sideloading. But the only money-related topics in the post are about offering developers new payment processing options and a lower commission for iOS apps in the App Store.
These changes will “come into force in March” in 27 EU countries. As we get closer to the release date, Apple will release resources further explaining the iOS ecosystem update.
Future expansion
If you live in the EU and want to try out the update for yourself, you can download the iOS 17.4 beta from your iPhone’s settings menu. Please ensure you are currently enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program to gain access. Check out our Gguide on how to install an iOS 17 beta to learn how to do it.
The question now is: will all this be rolled out to the US and elsewhere? Maybe, but not now. In another 9To5Mac report, a series of statements from Apple make it abundantly clear that it isn’t making changes because it wants to. It does this because the brand chooses to comply with the new rules set out in the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
When asked about expanding the App Store update, Apple doesn’t want to do so because it considers the DMA changes unsafe and doesn’t want to expose others to potential danger. That said, if the US adopts its own version of the DMA, we could see the innovation elsewhere.
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