It’s hard to build rival app stores in the EU because Apple has imposed several restrictions and fees that make it unattractive for developers and users to use alternative app stores. Some of these are:

Developers who use third-party app stores have to pay Apple 0.50 euro for each annual app install after 1 million downloads.
This means that popular apps like Meta would have to pay millions of euros to Apple every year just to reach their users. Developers who use third-party payment processors have to pay Apple a 17 per cent commission on their transactions.
This is higher than the 15 per cent commission that Apple charges for apps that use its own payment system.

Users who want to install apps from third-party app stores have to go through a complicated and risky process of sideloading, which involves downloading an app installer from a website, granting it permission to access the device, and trusting that it won’t harm the device or steal data3. Apple warns users that sideloading can expose them to malware, privacy violations, and data loss...

Users who sideload apps from third-party app stores will not receive automatic updates, security patches, or customer support from Apple. They will also lose access to some features and services that are exclusive to the App Store, such as iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, and Apple Pay.

*These factors make it very difficult for anyone, including Meta, to build rival app stores in the EU that can compete with Apple’s App Store. Apple’s App Store remains the dominant and preferred platform for iOS users and developers in the region.