Apple plans to allow external iOS apps in potential boon for Crypto, NFTs

Apple’s “walled garden” ecosystem. design has allowed it to take up to a 30% cut in iOS app and service sales, to the frustration of users and creators alike. But a new report suggests Apple plans to open up its ecosystem — a move that could benefit apps built around it NFTs and possibly expand the ability to make mobile crypto payments.

Bloomberg reports that Apple plans to enable the installation of apps from external sources outside of its own App Store on iPhones and iPads, according to sources familiar with the plans. The changes are being made in response to the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which requires technology companies to fully comply with restrictions by 2024.

According to the report, the rollout of support for external apps from third-party sources and marketplaces will initially begin only in Europe to comply with the new law. However, the functionality may be extended to other territories depending on whether those countries adopt similar regulations.

Apple reportedly aims to launch the feature in its iOS 17 software update, which is expected to launch next fall based on its typical annual release schedule.

The company is still considering whether to allow third-party apps to use its own payment infrastructure, Bloomberg requirements, rather than forcing developers to route payments through Apple’s own payment setup. That particular shift, if implemented, could make using cryptocurrency through iPhone and iPad apps much easier.

The reported changes come amid growing backlash to Apple’s closed ecosystem, which clash not only philosophically Web3its decentralized ethos, but has also led to restrictions on the ways in which apps can use NFT resources. In October, Apple updated its developer guidelines to state that NFTs cannot be used for street access to features or content in apps.

NFT purchases are also subject to Apple’s 30% fee – a potentially impossible-to-enforce restriction on secondary market sales, at least. The iOS apps for marketplaces such as OpenSea and Magic Eden only allow users to browse NFTs, do not buy or sell them through the app.

Apple’s NFT rule changes have also wreaked havoc with existing iOS apps. Coinbase recently announced that it had to disable NFT transfers through its mobile Wallet app, as Apple said users would have to pay 30% of any network gas fee (as in Ethereum) for the action. Coinbase described that demand as “not possible” to implement.

Dan Finlay, co-founder of the popular crypto wallet app MetaMask and a former Apple employee, tweeted in support of Coinbase, shout out Apple’s “abuse of monopoly.” He suggested that MetaMask could be affected by Apple’s rules, adding: “I would certainly stand in solidarity here.”

Apple’s reported upcoming plans to open up its ecosystem could benefit NFT and crypto apps that are currently limited or hindered by App Store requirements. Such apps can then be installed via external sources and are not dependent on Apple’s strict guidelines Bloomberg reports that Apple may introduce additional “security requirements” for external apps.

The move may also benefit the growing Web3 metaverseas Apple is widely reported to be develop a mixed reality headset which could debut sometime in 2023. Many Web3 developers are building toward a metaverse defined by cross-platform interoperability, using NFTs to represent ownership of assets that can be freely used across domains.

Web3 developers are not alone in saying something about Apple’s current model. Epic Games sued Apple– as well as Google with its Android Play Store – after the tech giant blocked the popular Fortnite game with the addition of a third-party payment model.

ONE previous court decision which could have forced Apple to allow third-party payments finally delayedand the companies are still involved in the legal battle. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted about today’s report, pushing lawmakers to pass similar legislation to potentially force Apple to open up its ecosystem in the US as well.

If external apps are only allowed in Europe, “it would leave US developers in serfdom in the nation where Apple was founded,” Sweeney tweeted. “Congress must pass the Open Apps Market Act!”

New Twitter owner Elon Musk also recently complained about Apple’s policiesand tweeted ask about apple”[hates] freedom of expression” after the firm cut advertising spending on the social media platform. Musk also alleged that Apple considered removing the Twitter app, but later chalked it up to a “misunderstanding” after meeting Apple CEO Tim Cook.