While alternative app stores operate independently and are required by EU law, Apple is still in a position to exert some control. This became apparent a few weeks ago, when iTorrent users suddenly ran into trouble when installing the app.
Thought this was an interesting story, since it’s pretty analagous to the recent Android situation, with third party app stores being enabled to some extent, but the company retaining ultimate censorship power.
Are third party iOS app stores available on the US?
No. But we can sideload. Two apps for free, have to be authorized every 7 days. (It’s actually three, but the app that does this for you takes a slot, so that and two others.)
You can also get a developer license for $99/year that lets you do unlimited with a much longer authorization window.
Is it worth it? All things considered? Genuinely asking.
Nothing in Apple’s ecosystem is worth it.
What qualifies for you as “worth it?”
i think you should be asking yourself that?
It was just a snarky comment. Apple does a lot of things well. I just find their anticompetitive practices deplorable.