Apple confirms it will open up the iPad in Europe this fall

• The latest efforts to comply with Europe’s Digital Markets Act mean developers can offer to side load apps to both iPhones and iPads in the EU.
• Apple has also taken steps to improve what it offers to smaller and non-commercial developers in the EU.
• Apple‘s action is making significant changes to its Core Technology Fee that should benefit smaller developers.

In the latest set of tweaks to bring itself into compliance with a new European Union law, Apple has confirmed significant changes to the deal originally offered to developers in the EU. Not only will it open up the iPad in the same way as it is opening up the iPhone in Europe, but it is making significant changes to its Core Technology Fee that should benefit smaller developers.

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Europe’s iPads will be opened up this fall

Apple announced that starting this fall, iPadOS will be opened up in Europe in compliance with the Digital Markets Act. As part of this, developers can opt to adopt the Alternative Business Terms for Apps in the EU, which will include additional capabilities and options on iPadOS. However, adopting these terms may entail paying Apple a Core Technology Fee (CTF).

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Improvement to the CTF

The fee, intended to compensate Apple for its developer support services, won’t be charged twice for users installing the same app on both iOS and iPadOS within a 12-month period. While critics decry the “Apple Tax”, Apple highlights that over 99% of EU developers won’t incur a Core Technology Fee (CTF). Yet, the 1% who do pay may have a louder voice due to their marketing resources. Now, let’s focus on two key changes the company has implemented.