In Europe, AltStore PAL, a third-party iPhone app store, has been launched

The app store subscription fee amounts to €1.50 annually (plus tax) and debuts with Delta, a complimentary Nintendo emulator, and Clip, a clipboard manager.

In Europe, AltStore PAL, a third-party iPhone app store, has been launched, following recent beta testing. This development is attributed to the compliance of Apple with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) of the European Union. To install this app marketplace, users are required to subscribe annually for €1.50 (plus tax), covering Apple’s Core Technology Fee (CTF).

Installing AltStore PAL involves navigating through multiple confirmation screens from Apple, which validate the user’s intent to install apps from sources other than the App Store. Despite the cumbersome process, with persistence, the installation can be completed.

The launch of the new app marketplace is accompanied by two apps developed by Riley Testut: Delta, an emulator supporting various gaming platforms, and Clip, a clipboard manager, both of which are not permitted by Apple. This venture is a collaboration between Testut and Shane Gill.

AltStore PAL integrates with Patreon for monetization and supports developers who wish to distribute beta apps as rewards for crowdfunding, a practice prohibited in the App Store. Delta is offered for free, while downloading Clip requires a minimum monthly Patreon pledge of €1 (plus tax).

Although AltStore has been available since 2019 for iOS, its installation previously required a workaround involving AltServer on a Mac or PC. However, with the DMA, Delta and Clip now have a legitimate Apple-notarized launch on AltStore PAL in the EU. This development signifies a shift in the possibilities for iPhone software, allowing developers to bypass the App Store.

AltStore PAL welcomes submissions from third-party developers, with plans for self-hosted apps on developers’ servers. Users will need to add additional “sources” to the app marketplace to download software from other developers, distinguishing it from Apple’s centralized App Store.