Summary
Highlights
Sideloading, installing apps outside the App Store, is now possible on iPhones in the EU due to regulatory changes. Apple is forced to allow alternative app stores in Europe.
Currently, there are four main alternative app stores: AltStore, Aptoide, Setup, and the Epic Games Store. Installation involves visiting the store's website and following the download instructions. Apple supervises these stores to prevent malware, but users install them at their own risk.
AltStore requires a subscription of under $2 per year. It offers Delta (a retro game emulator) and Clip (an enhanced copy-paste tool). Users can add sources to expand AltStore's app catalog, including Epic Games for Fortnite and Fall Guys.
Aptoide is a free and most complete store that aims to compete with the App Store. Apps are highlighted in an intutive interface. Aptoide offers its own 'coins' for in-app purchases, potentially allowing developers to bypass Apple's commissions.
The Epic Games Store features Fortnite, Fall Guys (mobile version), and Rocket League Sideswipe. Epic also partnered with AltStore to distribute its games. The store does not offer any kind of extra features at the moment.
Setup is a subscription-based service for iOS that gives access to a selection of applications without ads or in-app purchases, for 11.48 per month for two devices. The number of apps is growing.
Doni is an app to download videos from YouTube, Clean My iPhone helps remove unnecessary files from the gallery, and Optica is a manual photography app for adjusting camera settings.
Alternative app stores are still new and have limited apps. Access to these stores is lost when traveling outside of Europe. Aptoide and AltStore are worth installing given they are free or cheap.