Installing apps through alternative app distribution in the European Union
If you’re based in the European Union, you can install apps from sources other than the App Store on your iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later, or your iPad with iPadOS 18 or later.
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 Account must be set to one of the countries or regions of the European Union, and you must physically be located in the European Union.
All apps available through alternative app distribution are submitted to a Notarization process with Apple. Notarization 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, Notarization 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.
Learn more about availability and how alternative app distribution works
How to install alternative app marketplaces
Use a web browser on a device with iOS 17.4 or later, or iPadOS 18 or later, to find an alternative app marketplace that 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 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 or iPad, 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 a device with iOS 17.5 or later, or iPadOS 18 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 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 app from a developer website means for your iPhone or iPad, 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
If you have Automatic Downloads turned on for App Updates on your iPhone or iPad, your device will automatically check for the latest updates and install them. You can check if you have this turned on or off in Settings > Apps > App Installation.
If you have Automatic Downloads turned off for apps from alternative app marketplaces, you can check for updates for each app or marketplace by going to Settings > Apps and tapping the name of the app.
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 using 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 or iPad won’t install alternative app marketplaces or apps from outside the App Store without your permission. If you want to safeguard your device or a family member’s device from being able to install alternative app marketplaces or apps through web distribution, you can change the parental control settings.
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.
