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 Store Review Guidelines — use the App Store. If you don't want the risks that come with installing apps from alternative app marketplaces, 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 Apple checks for in Notarization, 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
You can dismiss a prompt to install an app marketplace. 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 might not be available on the App Store. Contact the developer to request their app be made available on the App Store.
Restrict the installation of alternative app marketplaces and apps from them on your iPhone
If you want to safeguard your iPhone or a family member's iPhone from being able to install alternative app marketplaces and apps they distribute, you can change the parental control settings on a device with iOS 17.4 or later. You can always change this setting later.
Safeguard an iPhone from installing app marketplaces
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
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 set up.
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.
If an iPhone already had parental controls and content restrictions turned on prior to updating to iOS 17.4 or later, app marketplaces are not restricted after updating. If you want to restrict these, set these to Don't Allow.
Prevent Unrated apps from installing
Apps available on alternative app marketplaces receive an age rating, but some apps might 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. More information on the App Store's App Review Guidelines and Notarization can be found here.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Screen Time.
Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, then tap Content Restrictions.
Tap Apps to change the maximum allowed age rating allowed.
Learn 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 might not prevent purchases in apps downloaded from alternative app marketplaces in the European Union. In addition, restrictions on purchases outside of the App Store ecosystem (for example, if an app sends you to a website to make a purchase) might not apply.
To make sure you're able to use all the features of parental controls and restrictions, only install and use apps from the App Store.
If you want to uninstall an alternative app marketplace
Delete the app marketplace from your iPhone.
Revoke your authorization for the app marketplace to install apps on your iPhone.
Open the Settings app, then tap App Installation.
Tap the name of the app marketplace.
Tap Remove Developer, and confirm your choice.
If you choose to keep apps you installed from that app marketplace, these apps will no longer receive any updates.
If you like, set your default app marketplace 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. You won't see Default App Marketplace if you don't still have multiple app marketplaces installed.