FOSS app store for iOS?

cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/12270789

Now that Apple has been forced to allow alternative App Stores, are there already similar stores like F-Droid emerging for iOS?

34 points · 6 comments · view on lemmy.world

6 Comments

narc0tic_bird@lemm.ee · 16 pts · 2y (4 replies)

I don't think this is feasible via Apple's "official" "sideloading" method for the EU because of the Core Technology Fee.

akrz@programming.dev · 9 pts · 2y

I hope the EU will nuke that

boonhet@lemm.ee · 7 pts · 2y (2 replies)

I think it would be feasible for most apps given that it's a million annual FIRST installs for free, but one would definitely need to find a way to monetize if the app gets too popular, which might be hard if your goal is to provide FOSS for the benefit of the community.

Imprint9816@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 4 pts · 2y

Why? FOSS apps can still charge money. Remember its free as in freedom not free as in free beer.

A lot more of them probably should as the alternative usually ends up in some company buying them out, such as what happened to mobile tools set of apps.

narc0tic_bird@lemm.ee · 1 pts · 2y

Yes it would, but afaik there's no mechanism in place that prevents your app from going over 1 million installs. So if it explodes overnight, you have a potentially large bill all of a sudden.

b763e622@lemm.ee · 14 pts · 2y

These guys have been around for a little while: https://altstore.io/