iPhone and iPad owners may be shown third-party app suggestions when updating to iOS 14.3, which released yesterday for developer testing ahead of a public launch later this year.
As Apple has been investigated for anti-competitive practices, the company is working on new ways to avoid these accusations and even sanctions from governments around the world. With iOS 14.3, which is now available as a beta release for developers, Apple will suggest third-party apps to users during the setup process of a new iPhone or iPad.
Interestingly, this appears to be supported in select countries where required by local laws. In countries where iOS 14.3 does support app suggestions, people will see a messaging saying, “In compliance with regional legal requirements, continue to view available apps to download.”
It’s unclear in which regions Apple will enable this new feature, but it will be most likely first implemented in the European Union countries. Last year, Google was sued in Europe for forcing its search service and Google Chrome on Android devices. After that, Android devices sold there now suggest other web browsers for new users.
The idea here is that iOS 14.3 should show you suggestions for third-party App Store apps even before you start using the device. With it, Apple may also be hoping to dispel the notion that it’s been prioritizing its own apps at the expense of third-party ones. Apple is currently being probed on antitrust grounds in the US, UK, France, Germany, Australia and South Korea.