Epic Games Sees Benefits From Streamlined Install Flow
Epic Games (Tim Sweeney, MacRumors, The Verge, TechCrunch):
In response to ongoing Digital Markets Act enforcement, Apple has significantly improved the process for installing alternative app stores from the web in the European Union with iOS 18.6 in July. They’ve reduced the install flow from 15 steps to 6, eliminating their former scare screen and its misleading message, and eliminated a dead-end that left the user stranded in iOS Settings. As a result, we’ve seen a stunning 60% decrease in player drop-off during attempts to install the Epic Games Store.
Prior to Apple’s update, around 65% of users attempting to install the Epic Games Store on iOS were thwarted by Apple’s deceptive design. After the update, the drop-off rate has gone from 65% down to around 25%, and continues on a downward trend as users upgrade to the new version of iOS.
For the first time, we are starting to see iOS users install the Epic Games Store with a success rate approaching Windows users and Apple’s own Mac users.
They have screenshots of the new and old iOS install flows, as well as the Android one, which remains at 12 steps. Epic still doesn’t like Apple’s business terms for App Marketplaces.
Previously:
- iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6
- EU App Store Tiers and Core Technology Commission
- Critical Warning for External Purchases in App Store
- Apple Appeals Epic Anti-Steering Injunction
- Testimony on External Purchase Fee and Scare Screens
- Epic Games Store for iOS in the EU
- Epic Games Pays AltStore PAL’s CTF
- Effects of the DMA’s Browser Choice Requirement
- App Marketplaces: AltStore and Epic Games Store
- Epic Sues Over Google Play Store, Too
4 Comments RSS · Twitter · Mastodon
I love seeing it laid out like that. I haven't side loaded many apps on android, but I would have guessed it was a much shorter process tbh. As in three to four steps.
The new process for installing apps on iOS is great. IMO, this is what it should be: two confirmations, one for initiating the download and another for acknowledging what you're actually doing.
But I think the way it works on Android is also fine. It's probably a bit safer because it requires the user to show intent that goes beyond just acknowledging two questions. It's weird that there are two separate warnings before downloading the app, but then sending people to settings and having them explicitly give Chrome the right to install apps is, in my opinion, okay.
I think both of these are acceptable. The real problem now is notarization, and Google's plan to introduce a similar system and exert control that way.
