After the Digital Markets Act (DMA) forced Apple to allow third-party app stores for iOS in Europe, some developers have launched alternative stores, such as AltStore and MacPaw’s Setapp (currently in closed beta). The latest entry is Aptoide, the old new Android app store, which is opening a play store in Europe.
The company announced today that users will be able to download its Play Store and use it on iOS on June 6.
Aptoide is launching the store with six titles initially, with plans to add more later. The company mentioned that more than 100 developers are set to launch their games on the app store, but with Apple’s notarization process, the official launch takes time.
Launch titles include Word Jungle, a word puzzle; Condor – Leap of Faith, a jump-based platformer; Comprehensive Solitaire, a collection of different Solitaire games; All-in-one Mahjong, a collection of different Mahjong games; Charades – Guess the Word, another word puzzle game.
Currently, Word Jungle is the only game with in-app purchases. Apptoide has a unique model as it charges developers differently for in-app purchases. If a user discovered the app through search or recommendations in the app store, the company charges a 20% fee, but if the developer acquires users through paid ads or through its community channels, Apptoide charges a 10% purchase fee within the application. Developers are allowed to show their websites for these transactions with a 10% fee that goes to Apptoide.
The startup said it went through Apple’s tedious process to apply as an alternative app store. He said the tech giant was not always responsive.
TechCrunch briefly tested the app store. The installation process is quite simple. Once you receive the invitation or access code, you can use the link to download the app store. You will need to go to settings and allow downloading an app store from this unknown source (Aptoide).
The company plans to add 500 to 1,000 users to the waiting list each day after launch. The startup is doing this to ensure it stays below the cap of 1 million annual first installs per year to avoid paying the basic technology fee of €0.50 for each first install.
Aptoide has been operating in the app store space with an Android client since 2009. Last year, the Android app store reached nearly half a billion downloads.
The experience of running an app store on Android may be beneficial to Aptoide to an extent, but iOS is a different ball game with Apple’s own rules and restrictions. Plus, with other stores competing for users’ attention in the EU, the company will need to attract some unique games to its store.
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