Third Party App Store

What is a Third-Party App Store?

A digital distribution platform for mobile applications that is operated by a company other than the manufacturer of the mobile device or the provider of the operating system, usually a mobile OEM. Third-party app stores offer an alternative to the official app stores provided by the likes of Apple’s App Store for iOS and Google’s Play Store for Android. These independent stores often feature a diverse range of apps, including those not available on official platforms due to various reasons like less stringent content policies or different revenue sharing models. They may cater to niche markets, offer localized content, or provide apps that prioritize privacy and open-source principles.

For Apple iOS users, the inception of the DMA by March 2024 will see the legislation mandate that third party app stores be made available on the Apple platform.