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This isn't as much of a problem on Android because it allows installing apks. There's plenty of apps that couldn't possibly be allowed in Google Play that are d

This isn't as much of a problem on Android because it allows installing apks. There's plenty of apps that couldn't possibly be allowed in Google Play that are distributed using alternative means. It's a much more serious problem with iOS, where if Apple doesn't like your app, your service, your policies, or even your attitude, you just aren't getting your app out to your users, period. But we'll see where EU DMA takes this.

cube00 2y ago
Good luck getting a regular consumer to agree to all the scary warnings presented when you do that.
- withinboredom 2y ago
  I didn't even read the warnings to install fortnite, but it seemed Apple tried to make it as confusing as possible. Click install, go to settings, white list the provider, go back to the browser, click back to try installing again ... and then finally, click "yes I am sure" then click "yes I am sure" like 3 more times. So complicated.
- grishka 2y ago
  On Android, there isn't really a scary warning. You have to allow whatever app you're installing the apk from to install apps form "unknown sources". That's it. You only have to do it once per source. On iOS, I'm sure the EU regulators will demand that Apple at least tone down their warnings.
  - wkat4242 2y ago
    What they should tone down is the requirement to share your app with Apple even if distributing it outside the store and to revenue share with them. The warnings are just that.
rvnx 2y ago
It's about distribution and being visible. If you are not on the Play Store you lose the majority of your installations. It's like a musician who is not on YouTube and not on Spotify. Or a website that is not on Google Search.
- grishka 2y ago
  IMO not quite. Here's how I see it: - Generic utility apps, the kind that you would search by what they do, like an audio player, an image converter, or a file manager — yes, it works for them like you say. - Those free to play mobile games everyone knows and loves (no). They buy stupid amount of ads to get people to install them. They may get some installations thanks the app stores themselves, e.g. from the top charts, assuming they get high enough there. So app stores do play a role in their visibility, but a limited one. And this is where it ends. - Apps for IRL services, like getting around (taxi/scooter rental/car sharing), or ordering food, or many other similar things. They get popular because people see their logos around them all the dang time, often together with QR codes with download links. They also often buy ads. Sometimes people recommend them to each other. App stores don't play any significant role for these. - Apps for something you already use. Like your home utilities, or your bank, or some sort of "smart" device you got, or loyalty programs. Again, you don't discover these thanks to app stores, you usually install them because that company says "we have an app, get it here". - Social/collaboration apps, the kind that are useless without people you know also using them. No one searches app stores for "social media" or "messaging" or "calls". People recommend them to each other. People see that their friends are on there and get on there too. Again, app stores don't do much here.
  - danhor 2y ago
    While people don't discover these apps on the play store, they will hear of the App, search on the App/Play Store and install it. If they can't find it by typing the app name into the search bar there, they won't install it. I doubt most users will, even when given the link to an .apk, install it. Either because they are discouraged by the alarming prompts (in my opinion a tradeoff that is unfortunately worth it) or because they get lost.
  - 2y ago
blackeyeblitzar 2y ago
Distribution is everything. Controlling distribution through defaults (play store already installed), barriers (pop ups warning you that installing other apps is risky), etc is monopolistic.
mook 2y ago
You can't show up in Android Auto unless you're distributed through the Play store (third party things like F-Droid and side loading means your app doesn't show in the car).
- MobiusHorizons 2y ago
  Good point, that makes a nontrivial difference for apps like organic maps. I know I have used it for offline navigation over CarPlay several times before.
- Zak 2y ago
  Android Auto developer settings allow access by "unknown sources". https://technastic.com/android-auto-developer-settings/ https://technastic.com/android-auto-developer-settings/
  - summm 2y ago
    This does not work for map applications.
ktosobcy 2y ago
I'd argue it's still a problem on Android as google makes it more and more difficult to let alternative installation methods and makes it sound scary :/

cube00 2y ago

Good luck getting a regular consumer to agree to all the scary warnings presented when you do that.

withinboredom 2y ago
I didn't even read the warnings to install fortnite, but it seemed Apple tried to make it as confusing as possible. Click install, go to settings, white list the provider, go back to the browser, click back to try installing again ... and then finally, click "yes I am sure" then click "yes I am sure" like 3 more times. So complicated.
grishka 2y ago
On Android, there isn't really a scary warning. You have to allow whatever app you're installing the apk from to install apps form "unknown sources". That's it. You only have to do it once per source. On iOS, I'm sure the EU regulators will demand that Apple at least tone down their warnings.
- wkat4242 2y ago
  What they should tone down is the requirement to share your app with Apple even if distributing it outside the store and to revenue share with them. The warnings are just that.

rvnx 2y ago

It's about distribution and being visible. If you are not on the Play Store you lose the majority of your installations. It's like a musician who is not on YouTube and not on Spotify. Or a website that is not on Google Search.

grishka 2y ago
IMO not quite. Here's how I see it: - Generic utility apps, the kind that you would search by what they do, like an audio player, an image converter, or a file manager — yes, it works for them like you say. - Those free to play mobile games everyone knows and loves (no). They buy stupid amount of ads to get people to install them. They may get some installations thanks the app stores themselves, e.g. from the top charts, assuming they get high enough there. So app stores do play a role in their visibility, but a limited one. And this is where it ends. - Apps for IRL services, like getting around (taxi/scooter rental/car sharing), or ordering food, or many other similar things. They get popular because people see their logos around them all the dang time, often together with QR codes with download links. They also often buy ads. Sometimes people recommend them to each other. App stores don't play any significant role for these. - Apps for something you already use. Like your home utilities, or your bank, or some sort of "smart" device you got, or loyalty programs. Again, you don't discover these thanks to app stores, you usually install them because that company says "we have an app, get it here". - Social/collaboration apps, the kind that are useless without people you know also using them. No one searches app stores for "social media" or "messaging" or "calls". People recommend them to each other. People see that their friends are on there and get on there too. Again, app stores don't do much here.
- danhor 2y ago
  While people don't discover these apps on the play store, they will hear of the App, search on the App/Play Store and install it. If they can't find it by typing the app name into the search bar there, they won't install it. I doubt most users will, even when given the link to an .apk, install it. Either because they are discouraged by the alarming prompts (in my opinion a tradeoff that is unfortunately worth it) or because they get lost.
- 2y ago

blackeyeblitzar 2y ago

Distribution is everything. Controlling distribution through defaults (play store already installed), barriers (pop ups warning you that installing other apps is risky), etc is monopolistic.

mook 2y ago

You can't show up in Android Auto unless you're distributed through the Play store (third party things like F-Droid and side loading means your app doesn't show in the car).

MobiusHorizons 2y ago
Good point, that makes a nontrivial difference for apps like organic maps. I know I have used it for offline navigation over CarPlay several times before.
Zak 2y ago
Android Auto developer settings allow access by "unknown sources". https://technastic.com/android-auto-developer-settings/ https://technastic.com/android-auto-developer-settings/
- summm 2y ago
  This does not work for map applications.

ktosobcy 2y ago

I'd argue it's still a problem on Android as google makes it more and more difficult to let alternative installation methods and makes it sound scary :/