Apple will begin allowing third-party app stores on iPads in the European Union starting September 16.

This shift will coincide with the launch of iPadOS 18, a major update to the iPad ecosystem, which has been controlled by Apple’s App Store. 

The decision is driven by the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), designed to encourage fair competition among large tech companies.

The Digital Markets Act (DMA), a major regulatory initiative by the EU, focuses on “gatekeepers”—large tech companies that oversee essential platform services. 

As one of these gatekeepers, Apple was directed to allow third-party services on its operating systems. 

Initially, the DMA concentrated on Apple’s iOS, App Store, and Safari. 

However, it has expanded the scope to include iPadOS, recognising its considerable impact.

While iPadOS did not initially meet the user threshold for full DMA compliance, the EU Commission included it due to its significant impact on enterprise users. 

Therefore, the tech giant was given six months to conform to the DMA’s competition standards. 

As a result, the iPadOS 18 update will allow EU users to install apps from alternative app stores, ending the App Store’s exclusivity.

Additionally, the update will enable web browser developers to use their own engines on iPads.

This move aligns with recent changes to iOS under the DMA, where five third-party app stores are now available in the EU, including AltStore PAL for apps like game emulators and torrent tools, and Epic Games’ store for popular games like Fortnite and Rocket League. Epic Games plans to expand this to iPad soon.