After the Digital Markets Act (DMA) forced Apple to allow third-party app stores for iOS in Europe, several developers have launched alternative stores, such as AltStore and MacPaw’s Setapp (currently in closed beta). The most recent participant is Aptoidethe long-running Android app store launch launching a game store in Europe.
The company announced today that users will be able to download its game 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 said more than 100 developers are set to release their games on the app store, but with Apple’s notary process, the official release takes time.
Launch titles include Word Jungle, a word puzzle game. Condor — Leap of Faith, a jump-based exit game. All in one 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.
Word Jungle is currently the only game with in-app purchases. Apptoide has a unique model in that it charges developers differently for in-app purchases. If a user has discovered the app through app store search or recommendations, the company charges a 20% fee, but if the developer acquires users through paid advertising or through its community channels, Apptoide charges a 10% fee for in-app purchases . Developers are allowed to nominate their sites for these transactions for a 10% fee 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 get the invitation or password, you can access the link to download the app store. You should 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 threshold 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 almost half a billion downloads.
The experience of running an app store on Android might be useful to some extent for Aptoide, but iOS is a different ball game with Apple’s rules and restrictions. Additionally, with other stores competing for users’ attention in the EU, the company will need to attract some unique games to its store.
