Apple, Google agree to loosen grip on UK app stores

Steven

Apple, Google agree to loosen grip on UK app stores

Summary

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has secured commitments from Apple and Google to make app-store approvals, rankings and developer treatment more transparent in the UK. Both firms have promised to use fair, objective criteria in app reviews and rankings, and not to exploit developer data gathered during approval to advantage their own services.

Apple faces tougher obligations: it will create clearer pathways for developers to request access to system-level iOS and iPadOS features, which could enable greater competition in areas such as payments, digital identity and translation tools. The CMA will monitor metrics such as review timelines, appeal rates and how interoperability requests are handled. Google emphasised Android’s existing ‘openness’ and highlighted the platform’s economic contribution to the UK.

Key Points

  • The CMA secured commitments from Apple and Google to improve transparency around app reviews, rankings and developer data use.
  • Both companies agreed to use fair and objective criteria and to avoid exploiting developer data gathered during approvals.
  • Apple will open clearer routes for developers to request access to system-level features in iOS/iPadOS, potentially enabling competition in payments, digital ID and more.
  • The CMA will track concrete metrics (review timelines, appeal rates, handling of interoperability requests) to ensure the commitments deliver change.
  • Google emphasised Android’s multi-store ecosystem and cited roughly £9.9bn in revenue for UK developers and support for 450,000 jobs.
  • The commitments are an early, targeted use of the UK’s Digital Markets regime and could be implemented later this year.

Context and Relevance

This is one of the first real tests of Britain’s new digital markets powers. For developers and rivals, reduced opacity in approvals and clearer access to system APIs could loosen what regulators have long called a choke point in app distribution. For consumers, it may mean more choice around payments, identity and other platform services over time.

The move sits within a broader global trend of regulators pushing back on platform gatekeepers. Whether these promises translate into meaningful, technical change will depend on the CMA’s monitoring and any eventual enforcement steps.

Why should I read this?

Short version: this could actually change how apps reach UK users. If Apple follows through, it won’t just be policy theatre — developers might get real routes into system features, and rivals could compete on payments and identity. If you build, sell or regulate apps, this matters. If you just use your phone, it could mean more choice down the line. Worth a skim unless you’re totally uninterested in how app stores are run.

Source

Source: https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2026/02/10/apple_google_uk_app_stores/