TechTabletsApple finally opens up to third-party app stores, but only if you win the postcode lotteryiPads are getting a more open ecosystem in EuropeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechTabletsApple finally opens up to third-party app stores, but only if you win the postcode lotteryiPads are getting a more open ecosystem in EuropeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
iPads are getting a more open ecosystem in Europe
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Apple)
(Image credit: Apple)
Quick SummaryAs with iPhone, Apple is opening up the iPad to third-party app stores very soon.In fact, the change starts today, but only applies to residents in EU countries.
As with iPhone, Apple is opening up the iPad to third-party app stores very soon.In fact, the change starts today, but only applies to residents in EU countries.
As with iPhone, Apple is opening up the iPad to third-party app stores very soon.In fact, the change starts today, but only applies to residents in EU countries.
As with iPhone, Apple is opening up the iPad to third-party app stores very soon.
In fact, the change starts today, but only applies to residents in EU countries.
It’s taken slightly longer than with theiPhone, butAppleis finally cracking open the floodgates where third-party app stores on theiPadare concerned.
With the arrival ofiPadOS 18, which will be available as an update for people to download and install today, Monday 16 September, users who are residents of EU states will be able to install other app stores if they choose to. Unfortunately though, that doesn’t apply to US users, nor those in the UK at present.
This all comes back to the long shadow of theEU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which Apple has been wrestling with since it came into force, along with other tech giants. The DMA insists that platform owners relinquish their monopoly on certain services on those platforms.
Apple was given six months to modify iPadOS to comply with the regulations, and therefore to add this third-party app store loophole along with a few other changes that aren’t quite so user-facing. That deadline is approaching, which is why the change is now going live.
Given how powerful newer iPad models are, such as theM4 iPad Pro, one big outcome of this change will be on the gaming front, where Epic Games has already confirmed that it’ll bring its app store to the platform to let people download and playFortnitewithout needing any workarounds.
So, if you live in an EU country and own an iPad that is compatible with iPadOS 18, this is a great incentive to get the software update downloaded and installed when you can.
If you need more, another outcome of the DMA, according toEngadget, is that third-party web browsers have been freed up to use more of their own tech, rather than being restricted to Apple’s WebKit system.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
This could mean that browsers like Chrome or Firefox get to bring a little more of their own personality to the platform down the line.
Today’s best Apple iPad dealsApple iPad Mini 32GB Wi-Fi$125.99ViewSee all pricesApple iPad Mini 64GB Wi-Fi 4G$179.95ViewSee all pricesApple iPad Mini 64GB Wi-Fi$503.48ViewSee all pricesApple iPad Pro 13-inch (2024)$1,195ViewSee all pricesApple iPad Air (M2 2024)$735ViewSee all pricesApple iPad (2022)$349$299ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple iPad dealsApple iPad Mini 32GB Wi-Fi$125.99ViewSee all pricesApple iPad Mini 64GB Wi-Fi 4G$179.95ViewSee all pricesApple iPad Mini 64GB Wi-Fi$503.48ViewSee all pricesApple iPad Pro 13-inch (2024)$1,195ViewSee all pricesApple iPad Air (M2 2024)$735ViewSee all pricesApple iPad (2022)$349$299ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple iPad dealsApple iPad Mini 32GB Wi-Fi$125.99ViewSee all pricesApple iPad Mini 64GB Wi-Fi 4G$179.95ViewSee all pricesApple iPad Mini 64GB Wi-Fi$503.48ViewSee all pricesApple iPad Pro 13-inch (2024)$1,195ViewSee all pricesApple iPad Air (M2 2024)$735ViewSee all pricesApple iPad (2022)$349$299ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple iPad deals
Apple iPad Mini 32GB Wi-Fi$125.99ViewSee all pricesApple iPad Mini 64GB Wi-Fi 4G$179.95ViewSee all pricesApple iPad Mini 64GB Wi-Fi$503.48ViewSee all pricesApple iPad Pro 13-inch (2024)$1,195ViewSee all pricesApple iPad Air (M2 2024)$735ViewSee all pricesApple iPad (2022)$349$299ViewSee all prices
Apple iPad Mini 32GB Wi-Fi$125.99ViewSee all prices
Apple iPad Mini 32GB Wi-Fi$125.99ViewSee all prices
Apple iPad Mini 32GB Wi-Fi
Apple iPad Mini 32GB Wi-Fi
$125.99View
$125.99
$125.99
See all prices
Apple iPad Mini 64GB Wi-Fi 4G$179.95ViewSee all prices
Apple iPad Mini 64GB Wi-Fi 4G$179.95ViewSee all prices
Apple iPad Mini 64GB Wi-Fi 4G
Apple iPad Mini 64GB Wi-Fi 4G
$179.95View
$179.95
$179.95
See all prices
Apple iPad Mini 64GB Wi-Fi$503.48ViewSee all prices
Apple iPad Mini 64GB Wi-Fi$503.48ViewSee all prices
Apple iPad Mini 64GB Wi-Fi
Apple iPad Mini 64GB Wi-Fi
$503.48View
$503.48
$503.48
See all prices
Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (2024)$1,195ViewSee all prices
Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (2024)$1,195ViewSee all prices
Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (2024)
Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (2024)
$1,195View
$1,195
$1,195
See all prices
Apple iPad Air (M2 2024)$735ViewSee all prices
Apple iPad Air (M2 2024)$735ViewSee all prices
Apple iPad Air (M2 2024)
Apple iPad Air (M2 2024)
$735View
$735
$735
See all prices
Apple iPad (2022)$349$299ViewSee all prices
Apple iPad (2022)$349$299ViewSee all prices
Apple iPad (2022)
Apple iPad (2022)
$349$299View
$349$299
$299
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
TOPICSappleipad
TOPICS
Build bigger arms in just 30 minutes with this 5-move dumbbell-only workoutIt’ll leave the biceps and triceps popping!
It’ll leave the biceps and triceps popping!
OMEGA puts the moon on your wrist with its new Speedmaster Moonphase MeteoriteOMEGA adds two new Moonphase Meteorite watches to its Speedmaster line-up
OMEGA adds two new Moonphase Meteorite watches to its Speedmaster line-up
A new Apple TV 4K box is reportedly coming, it’s just a matter of whenWhat will it offer though and will it change design?
What will it offer though and will it change design?
Apple’s affordable iPad set for major speed boost and Apple IntelligenceIt’s exciting times ahead for the entry-level tablet
It’s exciting times ahead for the entry-level tablet
Apple already sells a device thinner than the rumoured iPhone 17 AirThe slimming world of Apple
The slimming world of Apple
Apple MacBook Pro set for its biggest upgrade in many yearsIt’s great news for Apple fans
It’s great news for Apple fans
Apple iPhone could get a major camera boost… thanks to SamsungYou’ll just have to wait a while for it to arrive
You’ll just have to wait a while for it to arrive
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) review: don’t write it offThe Scribe is a well-made curio once again
The Scribe is a well-made curio once again
If the iPhone 17 Pro looks like this, I’ll eat my hat!Surely this is highly unlikely?
Surely this is highly unlikely?
The next iPhone SE could be in for its biggest change yetBut will it simplify or confuse things?
But will it simplify or confuse things?
