In a recent update, we discussed the upcoming iOS 17 and its allowance for app downloads outside of the App Store in countries like Spain and other European Union members due to new regulations. This development has sparked significant interest among various renowned companies aiming to establish their own app stores, creating a new landscape for both Android and iPhone devices.
One such company is Facebook, or rather its parent company, Meta. They have revealed their plans to transform their renowned social media platform into an app store. A spokesperson from Meta has announced their intention to assist developers in distributing their applications, indicating their commitment to supporting the app development community.
The new Facebook app store arrives
The desire for a dedicated app store from Meta (Facebook) can be attributed to the challenges they faced when Apple introduced measures to limit app tracking, which significantly impacted Meta’s services heavily reliant on advertising revenue. As a considerable portion of their income is generated through advertising, Meta aims to facilitate developers in distributing their apps directly. While Facebook Ads already allows app promotion, users are currently redirected to the App Store or Play Store. Meta believes that offering applications directly through Facebook will lead to increased downloads due to the streamlined and straightforward process. Consequently, they are likely working diligently to launch this new app store as soon as possible.
Initially, Meta plans to conduct tests of the app store on Android devices with a select group of developers to evaluate its functionality before expanding it to all devices. It’s important to note that Android devices already allow the installation of apps from sources outside the Play Store, albeit with certain restrictions.
However, Apple has not yet announced any plans for sideloading apps in iOS, which would enable iPhone users to download apps from external stores. As a result, the specifics of how this process will work remain unknown. Nevertheless, it is highly probable that Facebook will distribute apps through a separate version of its main application, bypassing the traditional app stores.
Currently, there is a lack of detailed information regarding the new Facebook app store, but we anticipate further updates in the near future. One notable aspect of the upcoming store is that Meta plans to refrain from charging developers any commission, be it for downloads or in-app purchases. By adopting this approach, Meta aims to encourage developers to embrace their platform and potentially reduce reliance on other app stores.
When will this new app store arrive?
The implementation of the regulation allowing app distribution outside of the App Store on iPhones and Apple devices is expected to take place in early to mid-next year, following the passage of the regulation in the spring. This development will create new opportunities for the app store envisioned by Facebook and potentially attract other major companies like Microsoft to join the initiative.
It is important to note that this regulation originates from the European Union, and it remains uncertain whether it will be adopted by other countries outside of Europe. It is likely that the new app distribution model will only be available in Spain and other EU countries. As more information becomes available regarding its functionality, features, and the official release date, we will provide further updates.