If you want to update your side-loaded iOS apps, don't leave the EU for too long

As you may know, the EU has been twisting Apple’s arm urging it to open up iOS to third-party app stores. Recently, Apple acquiesced, and, starting Thursday, developers can add their own app stores to iOS. Now, Apple has announced a grace period for how long you can update your site-loaded apps when outside of the EU.

If you’re holding your breath for iOS to open this app store for other markets, you’ll be disappointed. So far, this is purely an EU thing. So, if you’re in the US, you’re going to have to deal with how iOS has been over the years.

Apple establishes a grace period for how long you can update side-loaded apps outside of the EU

Since this policy only applies to the EU, once you leave the area, your side-loading experience will be greatly hindered. For starters, the moment you exit the EU, you will not be able to download apps from third-party app stores. You will still be able to use them, but you will be stuck to the apps you have on your phone.

However, when it comes to updating set apps, things are a little different. According to a new report, if you are outside of the EU, you will have a 30-day grace period. This means that you’ll be able to update your side-loaded apps for up to 30 days after leaving the EU. After that, you will not be able to download updates until you re-enter the area.

This might not be a problem for people who are on vacation or people who are merely visiting. However, for people who have to leave the EU for work or an extended stay, this could be pretty inconvenient. So, the grace period that Apple established might make using side-loaded apps a hassle.

There are already third-party app stores in the pipeline

As of now, we know about two third-party app stores that are going to land on iOS soon. One app store is called Setapp, and the other one is called Mobivention.

The second one is going to offer apps focusing on B2B and B2C services. So, this will be an app store offering business-oriented apps. The App Store should be released fairly soon if it hasn’t already launched on iOS.