Setapp Mobile Launches Open Beta in EU: A New Alternative App Store for iPhones

Setapp's Alternative iPhone App Store Goes Open Beta

How to Wirelessly Transfer Files Between Windows, macOS, Linux, and Mobile SetApp Mobile, an alternative iOS app store on the iPhone in the European Union (EU), is now available as an open beta with more apps than before. MacPaw, the Ukrainian company behind Setapp Mobile, recommends that folks who were on the invite-only beta upgrade to the latest open beta to avoid losing access on September 17. Setapp Mobile currently provides about 50 iPhone apps from third-party developers covering categories such as productivity, lifestyle, photography, etc. Unlike Apple's 30% cut, developers offering their apps on Setapp Mobile are compensated based on engagement. Some apps on Setapp Mobile are available on Apple's App Store, but many are not. The same prerequisites still apply. You'll need an iPhone physically located in one of the 27 EU member states to download and install apps from the Setapp Mobile marketplace. Setting your device region and Apple ID country to an EU state like Germany or Italy won't do the trick. Your iPhone must also be running iOS 17.4 software or later. Setapp Mobile arrived as a closed beta in May shortly after Apple announced major changes to the App Store business model in response to the EU's Digital Markets Act, which aims to make the digital economy fairer. Setapp Mobile was born out of the desktop Setapp subscription, offering a selection of more than 250 paid Mac apps and utilities available for a flat monthly fee of $10. Although alternative app marketplaces in the EU are now allowed to carry s as well, Setapp Mobile is iPhone-only for the time being. Visit the Setapp Mobile page on your iPhone using Safari (don't use another browser for this) and hit the Get Setapp Mobile button to get started. You'll need to tap through a few scare screens, then open the Settings app and hit "Allow Marketplace From MacPaw Way Ltd" at the top, then choose "Allow." After this convoluted process, you should see a Setapp icon on your Home Screen. MacPaw has a helpful support page should you get stuck. Setapp Mobile comes with a free 7-day trial. After that, you'll need to sign up for one of the three supported plans for Setapp Mobile: iOS Advanced (€9.49/month or €102.48/year), Power User (€14.24/month or €153.72/year), or AI Expert (€22.79/month or €246.12/year). The most affordable iOS Advanced plan covers downloading iPhone apps using the mobile app, the desktop client, or the web interface. I live in Europe and have tried Setapp Mobile earlier on my iPhone. I definitely hope US laws catch up so that alternative app stores are available to all iPhone owners, and it seems like that might happen soon. Source: Setapp on Twitter/X

Setapp Mobile launches its EU app storefront in open beta

MacPaw has rolled out Setapp Mobile in the EU as an open beta, providing its users with an all-you-can-eat alternative App Store. Setapp has provided a buffet of apps and services on macOS and iOS for quite a few years, paid for by a subscription. Now, MacPaw is attempting to make its iOS experience smoother for subscribers with the launch of its alternative App Store experience in the EU. Setapp Mobile is the latest move by the company to try and streamline the process for users to actually install iOS apps under the subscription. Previously, subscribers had to take multiple steps to install apps, which was complex compared to a typical App Store purchase. Available in a closed beta since early 2024, Setapp Mobile takes advantage of the EU's Digital Markets Act that required Apple to allow alternative app storefronts to exist on iPhone. As it is effectively operating as an app store under a subscription, it considerably simplifies the process of getting apps onto a device. On Wednesday, MacPaw has opened up Setapp Mobile in open beta to all EU-based users. It can work on iPhones running iOS 17.4 or later, with an EU-based Apple ID. Setapp is offering a seven-day free trial,before charging a monthly fee of 9.49 euros ($10.57) for its plan, unless they're already on a "Power User" or "AI Expert" plan. For the monthly fee, users have free reign to download apps from the storefront and install them to their iPhone. Many of the apps are already available from the Apple App Store, with Setapp Mobile offering a potentially cheaper option for power users. "We changed the game by providing a clean, intuitive experience where users access the finest apps without the usual clutter," said MacPaw founder and CEO Oleksandr Kosovan. "Our single subscription model simplifies the app discovery process, making it easier for users to access top-quality apps without hassle." For users in the United States, United Kingdom, and other territories outside the European Union, they will have to continue using the existing method for the moment. At least, until other territories decide to implement their own laws forcing third-party app stores to exist.

MacPaw Launches Setapp Mobile Open Beta in the EU, One of the First Alternative App Marketplaces for iPhone Users

iPhone users in the European Union can now explore a curated selection of apps through Setapp Mobile, offering a new way to discover and manage apps outside of Apple's App Store KYIV, Ukraine, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MacPaw, a leading macOS and iOS software maker, today announced the open beta launch of Setapp Mobile, one of the first alternative app marketplaces for iPhone users. The open beta now features a curated selection of 50 lifestyle and productivity apps, all accessible under a single subscription. Crafted by MacPaw, Setapp Mobile brings a new level of flexibility and ease to iPhone users, allowing them to download and manage their favorite apps directly on their devices. By streamlining app management under a single subscription, Setapp simplifies the user experience while providing developers with a fair compensation model based on app usage and market performance. The launch of Setapp Mobile follows the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by the European Union, opening the door for alternative app marketplaces. MacPaw's recent "iOS Market Insights for EU" report spotlighted the growing trend and market opportunity for such marketplaces, revealing that 80% of iPhone users and 60% of developers were willing to try out third-party app stores. "Setapp Mobile is our answer to the evolving needs of both users and developers, offering more than just a marketplace -- it's a smarter, more transparent ecosystem," said Oleksandr Kosovan, MacPaw's CEO and Founder. "We changed the game by providing a clean, intuitive experience where users access the finest apps without the usual clutter. Our single subscription model simplifies the app discovery process, making it easier for users to access top-quality apps without hassle. For developers, Setapp Mobile offers a fair and transparent platform where their creativity is rewarded, contributing to a more robust and innovative app ecosystem." "The valuable feedback from our closed beta has helped shape Setapp Mobile," said Mykola Savin, Director of Product Management at MacPaw. "Based on our user insights, we've made significant stability improvements to enhance the overall user experience. We're also proud to have doubled the number of available apps since the closed beta and are excited to continue expanding our app catalog. As we transition into open beta, we're looking forward to gathering more data and perspectives to make sure Setapp Mobile continues to meet the evolving needs of our users and the broader market." Setapp Mobile distinguishes itself by offering a streamlined experience without in-app purchases or hidden fees. Popular apps available include MacPaw's own CleanMy®Phone and ClearVPN, alongside popular choices like Riveo, BusyCal and Awesome Habits. Pricing and Download To access Setapp Mobile, users must have iOS 17.4 or later and an Apple ID associated with an EU member state. Current Setapp EU subscribers with "Power User" or "AI Expert" plans will automatically gain access to Setapp Mobile at no additional cost. Those on other plans can upgrade to "iOS Advanced," "Power User," or "AI Expert" to continue using Setapp Mobile. Previous beta users will lose access on September 17th. A seven-day free trial of the "iOS Advanced" plan is available for new EU subscribers. To join Setapp Mobile, visit https://setapp.com/setapp-mobile Developers interested in bringing their apps to Setapp Mobile can apply here: https://setapp.com/for-ios-developers About MacPaw MacPaw develops and distributes innovative software for macOS and iOS that simplifies the lives of Mac users. Renowned for its meticulously crafted products, such as CleanMyMac X, CleanMy®Phone, Setapp, and ClearVPN, and known for its Moonlock cybersecurity division, MacPaw is dedicated to enhancing and securing the Mac user experience. Founded in Kyiv, Ukraine, with offices in Boston and Limassol, MacPaw serves over 30 million users worldwide. With one in every five Mac users having at least one MacPaw app, the company is a trusted leader in the Mac software ecosystem. Press Contact Jenn Kochanski MacPaw [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2506282/MacPaw_Setapp_Mobile.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/macpaw-launches-setapp-mobile-open-beta-in-the-eu-one-of-the-first-alternative-app-marketplaces-for-iphone-users-302249190.html SOURCE MacPaw Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs