Apple opens App Store for legacy game emulators

Apple is loosening its App Store restrictions and opening up the market to older game emulators. in Updated on Friday, Apple announced that game emulators can access the App Store globally and offer downloadable games. Apple says these games must comply with “all applicable laws,” indicating that it will ban apps that provide pirated titles.

The move should allow older console emulators that already exist on Android — at least the ones that remain — to bring their apps to the iPhone. Game emulators have long been banned from iOS, leaving iPhone owners looking for workarounds via jailbreak or other workarounds. It's also one of the main reasons, so far, why iPhone owners in the EU may be checking out third-party app stores now that they're allowed into the region. Apple's change today could lead to that.

Along with the new rules regarding emulators, Apple has also updated its rules regarding super apps, such as WeChat. It now states that mini-games and widgets within these apps must use HTML5, clarifying that they cannot be native apps and games.

Outside the United States, Apple appears to be responding to pressure from the European Commission. In another rule update today, the company said it will now allow music streaming apps in the EU to include in-app links that direct users toward third-party purchases and mention pricing information. It would also allow developers to “invite users to provide their email address for the express purpose of sending a link to the developer's site to purchase digital music content or services.”

After the commission called Apple's anti-routing rules “unlawful,” Spotify tried to update its app with links to its website for purchasing subscriptions, but did not get approval from Apple for weeks. Spotify is still unhappy with Apple's latest change, as Apple still plans to charge a commission on purchases made through external links despite EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager saying Apple should allow music streaming apps to communicate “freely” with users.

“Following the law is not optional, but Apple continues to challenge that decision,” Spotify spokeswoman Jane Moran said. the edge. “From 6 April, the Commission can start non-compliance proceedings and impose daily fines. It is time to take decisive action to give consumers a real choice once and for all.