EU alternative app stores and what's different in Australia
Europe opened rival iOS marketplaces under the DMA; Australia follows Epic v Apple court orders instead.
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What happened in the EU
Under the DMA, Apple authorises alternative app marketplaces in the European Union. AltStore PAL and the Epic Games Store operate there under Apple's EU terms. Setapp Mobile closed in February 2026, citing commercial terms.
Legal basis and eligibility
Australia follows Federal Court remedies under competition law, not the DMA. Orders tie to Australian Apple Accounts regardless of developer location.
Timing and operator
Expected early 2027, subject to Apple's appeal. AppYard is an independent Australian marketplace.
Lessons for AppYard
Setapp's closure shows economics matter as much as court wins. AppYard starts small with curated categories. Read the developer hub and AppYard vs App Store.
How is AppYard different from AltStore or Epic's store?
EU stores run under the DMA. AppYard is built for Australia under court orders, curated around emulators, business apps, and Australian indie titles.