Top 3 Key Points:
- Apple Now Allows PC Emulators: iDOS 3, a popular DOS emulator, is back on the App Store following Apple’s revised guidelines.
- EU Pressure Leads to Policy Change: The European Union’s Digital Markets Act pushed Apple to relax its strict rules on emulators.
- Apple vs. Google App Store Fees: Apple’s new fee structure for apps linking to external sites in the EU differs slightly from Google’s, highlighting a complex landscape for developers.
Apple has long prohibited developers from offering emulators on the App Store. However, due to increasing pressure from the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple has revised its policies, now allowing iPhone and iPad emulators on the App Store. As a result, the popular DOS emulator, iDOS 3, has made its return.
The Comeback of iDOS 3
iDOS is a well-loved DOS emulator for Apple devices. Despite previous attempts by developer Chaoji Li to release the app on the App Store, it was removed by Apple due to strict guidelines. Earlier this year, Apple made a significant change by allowing retro game emulators, but PC emulators were still banned, which many developers found inconsistent, especially with the DMA’s anti-competitive regulations in play.
Facing growing criticism and likely to avoid further scrutiny from the EU, Apple updated its App Store guidelines again, this time permitting PC emulators. UTM SE, another popular PC emulator for iOS, was among the first to get approved, followed by iDOS 3.
Apple’s new guidelines now allow apps to offer software that isn’t embedded in the binary, including HTML5 mini-games, streaming games, chatbots, and plugins. This change marks a significant shift in Apple’s stance on emulators, driven largely by external regulatory pressures. Despite this victory, Li remains cautious about the app’s future, wondering if Apple will find another reason to remove it from the App Store.
Apple’s New App Store Policies in the EU
Apple has also introduced new guidelines for apps that link to external websites within the EU. These changes, part of Apple’s compliance with the Digital Markets Act, include a new fee structure that differs slightly from Google’s Play Store policies.
Both Apple and Google charge an Initial Acquisition Fee for apps that direct users to external sites. Google’s fee is 10% for in-app purchases and drops to 5% for subscriptions after two years, while Apple charges a flat 5% fee. However, Apple’s fee applies for the first 12 months following the app’s initial download, compared to Google’s 24-month period.
Additionally, both companies have separate ongoing fees. Apple’s Store Services Fee is 10%, reduced to 5% for small businesses and subscription renewals after one year. In contrast, Google’s Ongoing Services Fee is 17% for in-app purchases or 7% for auto-renewing subscriptions. Apple also charges a Core Technology Fee, but 99% of developers are exempt from this charge.
Google’s policy allows developers to discontinue services after two years, provided they obtain user consent, whereas Apple’s fee applies within a fixed 12-month period. This difference underscores the complexity developers face in navigating these policies.
Implications for Developers
Apple’s new guidelines have created a landscape where the fees and rules are more similar to Google’s than ever before. However, subtle differences in how these fees are applied make the situation complicated for developers, especially in the EU. For instance, the highest fee a Google Play Store developer might pay is 27%, while for Apple, it’s 25%.
Apple appears to prioritize small business developers more than Google, offering several carveouts in its App Store Small Business Program. This includes a fee calculator on its website to help developers understand and adapt to the new EU guidelines. Despite these changes, the evolving regulations still present challenges, making it difficult for developers to keep up with the shifting landscape.
In conclusion, while Apple’s recent updates bring more flexibility and opportunities for developers, they also introduce new complexities, particularly in comparison to Google’s Play Store. The impact of these changes will likely continue to evolve as Apple, Google, and the European Commission navigate the implications of the DMA.
