Altstore PAL made its debut in Europe, marking the launch of the region’s first third-party iPhone app store. This alternative app marketplace provides users with access to apps that are not available on the official App Store. To install Altstore PAL, iPhone users in Europe must update their devices to iOS 17.4. However, there is a catch – users are required to pay a small annual fee due to Apple’s Core Technology Fee (CTF).
Developer Riley Testut outlined the features of Altstore PAL in a recent blog post. The platform currently offers two applications: a Nintendo emulator called Delta and Clip, a clipboard manager. While Delta is available for free download, Clip requires a minimum donation of EUR 1. Altstore PAL bypasses Apple’s content restrictions, allowing developers to distribute apps that would not be allowed on the official App Store. Additionally, developers can leverage Patreon to receive donations from users, without any commission charges from Altstore PAL.
Users in the European Union can install Altstore PAL by updating their iPhones to iOS 17.4 and paying an annual subscription fee of EUR 1.50. This subscription fee covers Apple’s CTF, ensuring smooth operation of the platform. Alternatively, users who do not wish to pay the fee or reside outside the EU can sideload apps using the original Altstore app on a computer, refreshing them every seven days.
One of the key advantages of Altstore PAL is that developers are not required to pay for hosting their apps on the platform. Additionally, there are no commission charges for donations received through Patreon. Testut highlighted that once an app is notarised by Apple, developers must upload the “alternative distribution packet” to their servers for distribution.
Altstore PAL represents a significant shift in the app distribution landscape in Europe. By providing an alternative to the official App Store, the platform offers developers more freedom in distributing their apps and users access to a wider range of applications. Despite the annual subscription fee, Altstore PAL presents a promising opportunity for developers and users alike to explore new possibilities in the app market.
Leave a Reply