iOS 17.5 Beta 2 introduces app downloads from websites for EU users

iOS 17.4 gave users in the EU the ability to install apps from alternative app stores, but still lacked the functionality to download apps directly from a developer's website. With the release of iOS 17.5 Beta 2, Apple has thankfully added this functionality, giving users another way to download apps to their iPhones.

To use web distribution, users must now grant developers permission before installing apps from their websites. Apple emphasizes that this method is safe and protects user privacy. Additionally, every app distributed must go through Apple's notarization process to ensure security.

When a user in the EU tries to install an app via Web Distribution, they will be shown a brief overview of the app, including the app name, developer, screenshots and other basic information, similar to an App Store page.

While this method allows developers to bypass Apple's 30 percent cut of app sales through the App Store, it does come with a number of limitations. For example, developers must have completed at least 1 million installs in the EU in the previous year to be eligible. In addition, developers must accept the new terms and conditions in the App Store, which means that they must pay the Core Technology Fee of €0.50 for every installation over one million euros.

While this is a step in the right direction, there is still a lot of work to be done as Apple still limits the feature to the EU, complicating the process compared to sideloading apps on Android.