Apple will no longer allow developers to test third-party web engines outside the EU

Apple has made significant changes to the European Union’s App Store guidelines. Digital Markets Act (DMA) Antitrust Act. One of these changes will allow a developer to release his iPhone web browser with a proprietary engine, but the company will allow developers to test their apps before releasing them to users within his EU. making it difficult to do so.

To test your web browser with an alternative engine, you need a device located in the EU

Report from register We’ve heard from developers that Apple limits testing of third-party web browsers to devices in the EU. “This requirement creates an additional barrier for those planning to develop and support browsers with alternative engines” for European users, the report said.

Although developers can use the iPhone simulator to test their apps on a Mac before launching them on the App Store, there are some behaviors that can only be observed on a real device. And even if someone reports a bug to a developer, it’s difficult to find and fix it without the ability to install a browser on the iPhone.

For years, Apple has required its iOS web browser to use the same WebKit as Safari. However, one of the requirements of DMA is that developers can use alternative browser engines if they wish. For example, Google can now release his iOS version of Chrome using the same engine as the desktop version.

But with such a requirement, it seems like most developers won’t tackle it any time soon. Google Chrome vice president Parisa Tavris said in February that “Apple is not serious about supporting web browser or engine selection on iOS.” One limitation he has is that alternative engines are not available on his iPad. But that will change later this year.

The EU Commission has already announced that it is not satisfied with some of Apple’s responses to the new law, so further changes are expected on this issue.

Please also read

• Developers say there are one right choice and two wrong choices when it comes to iPhone web browsers.
• Epic plans to revive Fortnite on iPad following EU iPadOS ‘gatekeeper’ ruling
• Hands-on with Setapp Mobile (limited beta release in EU)

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