How to help ensure you only install apps from the App Store in the European Union
If you prefer getting apps that meet Apple’s high standards for user safety, security and quality – and comply with Apple’s App Review Guidelines – use the App Store. If you don’t want the risks that come with installing apps through alternative app distribution, you can use settings to manage your preferences.
Features in this article are only available to users in countries or regions of the European Union.
About apps on the App Store
Apple reviews every app and app update available on the App Store to help ensure developers meet Apple's high standards for user safety, security and quality. In addition to meeting the baseline platform integrity standards that Apple checks for in Notarisation, apps on the App Store are approved after meeting all of Apple’s App Review Guidelines, which include enforcement of content and commerce policies. Additionally, purchases for digital goods and services inside the App Store ecosystem use the App Store’s private and secure commerce system, including In-App Purchases. Helpful features that customers of the App Store have access to include Report a Problem, Family Sharing and Ask To Buy. Your payment methods on file with Apple are stored safely and securely, and you can use these payment methods for In-App Purchases and subscriptions. Your payment information is not shared with other companies.
If you see a prompt to install an alternative app marketplace or an app from a website
You can dismiss a prompt to install an app marketplace or an app from a website. If you see a request to approve installation, tap Cancel to back out. You can also tap Ignore on requests to Allow Marketplaces in Settings.
Some apps on alternative app marketplaces or available through developer websites may not be available on the App Store. Contact the developer to request that their app be made available on the App Store.
Restrict installation from alternative app distribution on your iPhone or iPad
If you want to safeguard your iPhone or iPad or a family member’s iPhone or iPad from being able to install alternative app marketplaces and apps installed through alternative app distribution, you can change the parental control settings on a device with iOS 17.4 or later, or iPadOS 18 or later. To safeguard your iPhone or iPad or a family member’s iPhone or iPad from being able to install apps from the web, update to iOS 17.5 or later, or iPadOS 18 or later. You can always change this setting later.
Safeguard an iPhone or iPad from installing app marketplaces or apps from the web
Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap Screen Time.
If you haven't set up Screen Time yet, tap Turn on Screen Time, then tap it again. Choose “This is My [Device]” or “This is My Child’s [Device]”. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete setup.
Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. If asked, enter your passcode, then turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Tap App Installations & Purchases.
Tap App Marketplaces to change this to Don't Allow. You can also tap Web to change this to Don’t Allow.
If an iPhone or iPad already had parental controls and content restrictions turned on prior to updating to iOS 17.4 or later, or iPadOS 18 or later, app marketplaces and web distribution will not be restricted after updating. If you want to restrict these, set these to Don’t Allow.
Prevent Unrated apps from installing
Apps available through alternative app distribution receive an age rating, but some apps may offer content that wouldn’t be allowed on the App Store. This includes apps that distribute pornography, hate speech or weapons; and apps that encourage the consumption of tobacco or vape products, alcohol or legal drugs among adults. These apps are unrated. Find out more about Apple’s App Review Guidelines and Notarisation Review Guidelines.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap Screen Time.
Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, then tap Content Restrictions.
Tap Apps to change the maximum allowed age rating.
Find out more about parental controls and restrictions
About other parental control options
Other parental controls only apply to content and purchases inside apps downloaded from the App Store. For example, restricting in-app purchases may not prevent purchases in apps downloaded from alternative app marketplaces in the European Union. In addition, restrictions on purchases outside the App Store ecosystem may not apply – including if an app sends you to a website to make a purchase.
To make sure you’re able to use all of the features of parental controls and restrictions, only install and use apps from the App Store.
If you want to remove a developer’s authorisation
Delete the app marketplace from your iPhone or iPad. If you’ve only downloaded apps directly from a developer’s website, skip this step.
Revoke your authorisation for the app marketplace or web distributor to install apps on your iPhone or iPad.
Open the Settings app, then tap App Installation.
Tap the name of the app marketplace or web distributor.
Tap Remove Developer and confirm your choice.
If you choose to keep apps you’ve installed from that app marketplace or web distributor, these apps will no longer receive any updates.
If you want to, you can set your default app marketplace to the App Store.
Open the Settings app, then tap App Installation.
Tap Default App Marketplace and make sure this is set to the App Store. Default App Marketplace only appears if multiple app marketplaces are installed.
