After the release of the final version of iOS 17.4, it was a while until Apple released the first beta versions of iOS 17.5 beta operating systems, iPadOS 17.5, macOS 14.5, visionOS 1.2 and watchOS 10.5.
For many device users Apple this update doesn't bring a lot of news and performance improvements, but it's the first beta version of some systems that promise new features on current and future devices Apple.
Installing iPhone apps from the web in iOS 17.5 beta
A very important feature of iOS 17.5 is for iPhone owners in the European Union, who will be able to install device apps and games from the web, without being conditioned by App Store. This change comes as a result of the regulations imposed by the European Commission, through which the company Apple is required to accept the installation of third-party applications and games on iPad and iPhone.
Related: iOS 17.4 beta 2 with changes for EU users
iOS 17.5 beta is the first to offer support for "Web Distribution", whereby developers can offer iOS apps directly through their own websites, without having to publish them through App Store.
To use this feature, developers will need to opt-in to the new business terms of App Store, which means they will pay a fee (Core Technology Fee) of €0,50 for every first annual installation over one million in the last 12 months.
Also, in order to keep iPhone security and user privacy under control, any app distributed over the web will need to follow the notarization guidelines of Apple. Apps can only be installed from a web domain that the developer has registered with App Store Connect. Also, Apple will provide a number of APIs for integration with system functionality for developers.
Although the first iOS 17.5 beta builds on this feature, there are currently no developers offering their apps through this new web distribution feature. This may change by May, when iOS 17.5 will be released to the general public in its final version.
