Installing apps through alternative app distribution in the European Union
If you're based in the European Union, you can install apps for your iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later from sources other than the App Store.
Features in this article are available to users only in countries or regions of the European Union.
About installing alternative app marketplaces and apps offered through alternative app distribution
Only users based in the European Union are able to install apps through alternative app distribution. The country or region of your Apple ID must be set to one of the countries or regions of the European Union, and you must be physically located in the European Union.
All apps available through alternative app distribution are submitted to a Notarisation process with Apple. Notarisation is a baseline review that applies to all apps, regardless of their distribution channel, focused on platform policies for security and privacy and to maintain device integrity. Through a combination of automated checks and human review, Notarisation helps ensure apps are free of known malware, viruses or other security threats, function as promised and don't expose users to egregious fraud. Apple does not enforce the App Store’s high standards for business practices and content on apps distributed through alternative app distribution.
Find out more about availability and how alternative app distribution works
How to install alternative app marketplaces
Use a web browser on your iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later to find an alternative app marketplace you want to install.
Tap the link to install.
Before you can complete installation of any given alternative app marketplace for the first time, you'll see a message that you have to approve it. Open the Settings app. Tap the message to “Allow Apps From [Developer]” at the top of Settings.
Read the information about what installing an alternative app marketplace means for your iPhone, then tap Allow and confirm your choice.
After allowing installation, go back to install the alternative app marketplace again and follow the onscreen steps.
How to install apps from a developer’s website
Use a web browser on your iPhone with iOS 17.5 or later to find an app you want to install from web distribution.
Tap the link to install.
Before you can complete installation of any given app from a developer website, you’ll see a message stating that you have to approve it. Open the Settings app. Tap the message to “Allow Apps From [Developer]” at the top of Settings.
Read the information about what installing an app from a developer website means for your iPhone, then tap Allow and confirm your choice.
After allowing installation, go back to install the app again and follow the onscreen steps.
Purchases from apps installed through alternative app distribution
Any purchases you make outside of the App Store or the App Store's In-App Purchase system aren't supported by Apple. You can check where you downloaded an app from in Settings and get support.
For help with purchases of apps, purchases within apps and subscriptions, contact the alternative app marketplace developer or the app developer.
About updates to apps from alternative app distribution
Each app marketplace determines how updates work for their apps. You may have to manually open the alternative app marketplace or visit the website of the app developer to update each app individually.
If you delete an alternative app marketplace or it ceases operations, you will no longer receive updates for the apps you installed from the alternative app marketplace.
If you want to continue getting apps that are approved under Apple's App Review Guidelines, use the App Store
If you prefer to use apps that have met all of Apple's App Review Guidelines, including Apple's standards for privacy, security and quality, you can use the App Store. Your iPhone won't install alternative app marketplaces or apps from outside the App Store without your permission. If you want to safeguard your iPhone or a family member’s iPhone from being able to install alternative app marketplaces or apps through web distribution, you can change the parental control settings on the device.
You can also contact Apple Support for help when you download apps from the App Store. This includes support for purchases of apps, In-App Purchases, sharing your purchases with your Family Sharing group, and more.
