The tension between Apple and Epic Games has not fallen off the agenda for a long time in the world of technology. This time, Epic made new and remarkable claims against Apple within the scope of the European Union’s Digital Markets Law. The current data shared by the company shows that there is a significant improvement during the installation process of the application store with iOS 18.6. However, despite these developments, Apple continues to remove users from third -party stores.
According to the data, the installation success rate of Epic Games Store in iOS has increased significantly compared to the past period. While 65 %of users could not complete the installation before iOS 18.6, this rate has decreased to 25 %at the moment. Epic says that Apple’s removal of some deterrent designs is at the basis of this change. Warning screens that have already taken users back to users are no longer displayed. However, the orientation problems during the installation have greatly disappeared. In other words, even though the process has become more accessible in terms of technical terms, pressure is still being printed on user habits.
Epic: Apple made simplification
According to Epic’s statements, Apple made an important simplification by reducing the installation process from 15 steps to 6 steps. The effect of this simplification can be observed directly in user behavior. Previously, users are dragged into a dead end in iOS settings, now they are now encountering a clearer road map. Nevertheless, Apple’s users are expressed in some subtle preferences to deter him from alternative application stores. For example, some leave screens throughout the system are still confusing. Therefore, even if the user experience improves, it is clear that there is no major change in Apple’s routing strategies.
Epic says Apple’s attitude has a negative impact on developers. The reluctance of providing content on the iOS platform is directly attributed to Apple’s controlling approach. Compared to Android, the less preference of Epic Games Store in iOS is explained. However, not only Apple; Google is also the target of similar criticism. According to Epic, the installation process in Android is also designed to deterd the user. From here, the two major platforms follow common strategies to limit third -party options.
Although things seem to work a little different on the Google side, the result is similar. Epic claims that the Epic Games Store installation on Android is completed in 12 steps and that this process is often misleading the user. According to the figures shared by the company, more than half of Android users cannot successfully complete this process. The reason for this is that Google consciously offers a complex user interface. Therefore, users release the process without realizing it. This emerges as an important obstacle that restricts Epic’s access to Android.
These data do not only point to a technical issue; It also reveals the power struggle in the mobile ecosystem. Although Apple has improved the user experience shows that some obstacles have been removed, it is difficult to say that competition is literally released. Even though the freedom of choice left to the user exists on paper, in practice the guidance is still under the control of Apple. This is also due to Epic’s insistence on this issue. In spite of everything, the company awaits sharper sanctions from regulatory institutions in Europe.
Another point that draws attention in Epic’s blog post is that Apple’s “horror screen ğı that Apple has used in the past is no longer included. Such visual warnings consciously removed the user from alternative stores. Now, even though these screens have been removed, Epic thinks that the directions are still manipulative. The installation process may be simplified, but at the end of this process, the user is still having hesitant when he goes out of the Apple ecosystem. At this point, Epic argues that DMA should take more effective measures against such practices.
On the other hand, it should be noted that Epic is not alone. Some other developers in Europe make similar complaints. Apple’s policies, such as in -app purchasing, are considered unfair competition by many developers. This may lead to questioning the monopoly power of the App Store in the long run. How the European Commission will take a step in the coming period is closely monitored in the sector.
In addition, how users perceive these changes is an important indicator. Although Apple has taken some steps at the technical level, it is not yet clear whether user behavior has changed in real terms. This can be measured not only by the number of users, but also by how much users are directed to non -system preferences. Epic’s data reveals that there is a progress. But this progress is still in a limited framework.