Welcome to Onside Store: Alternative iOS App Store for the EU and Japan
A quick introduction to the Onside Store, its key benefits, what you can find inside, and our commitment to your safety.
The Onside Store is an alternative iOS app marketplace for users in the European Union (EU) and Japan.
You can discover, download, install, and update iOS apps that may not be available on the Apple App Store.
Quick answers (most common questions)
Where is the Onside Store available? EU (excluding the UK) and Japan. You must be physically located there. A VPN won’t bypass this.
Which devices are supported?
EU: iPhone (iOS 17.6+) and iPad (iPadOS 18+)
Japan: iPhone only (iOS 26.2+). Not available on iPad
How do I install it? Follow the Installation Guide →. If it fails, use Troubleshooting Installation Issues →.
Do I need a specific Apple Account Country/Region? Yes. Your Apple Account Country/Region must be set to an EU country/region or Japan.
Where do I download Onside Store? Only from our official website: https://onside.io/
Can I trust Onside? Yes. We review apps and use secure payments. See Can I Trust Onside?.
I’m a developer. Where do I start?
Developer landing: https://developer.onside.io/
Onside Developer Console: https://console.onside.io/
Why does this exist? EU distribution is enabled by the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Japan distribution is enabled by the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA).
Installation requires an Apple Account with Country/Region set to an EU country/region or Japan.
On iPad, you must use an Apple Account set to an EU country/region. Onside Store is not available on iPad in Japan.
Jump Right In
Common next steps when you’re getting started:
Install Onside Store
Install the Onside Store marketplace app and complete setup (EU: iPhone iOS 17.6+ or iPad iPadOS 18+; Japan: iPhone iOS 26.2+ only).
Browse, search, and discover apps
Learn how the Onside Store is organized so you can find apps faster.
Payments in Onside Store
See supported payment methods and currencies (card, Apple Pay, and more).
Safety, trust, and privacy
Understand how we review apps and what you can do to stay safe.
For developers
Start publishing on Onside: visit the developer site and use the Onside Developer Console.
Availability & device requirements (details)
Where is the Onside Store available?
The Onside Store is currently available for users physically located in:
An EU country (excluding the UK)
Japan
On iPad, the Onside Store app is available in the EU only. It is not available on iPad in Japan.
A VPN will not bypass this requirement.
Which devices and iOS versions are supported?
iPhone:
EU: iOS 17.6 or later
Japan: iOS 26.2 or later
iPad (EU only): iPadOS 18 or later
In Japan, Onside Store is not supported on iPad.
If you meet the requirements, start with the Installation Guide →.
Why Onside Store is available (DMA and MSCA)
In the EU, alternative iOS app marketplaces are enabled by the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
In Japan, alternative iOS app marketplaces are enabled by the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA).
In Japan, Apple applies additional platform safeguards, including Notarization for iOS apps and an authorization process for app marketplaces.
What’s different about the Onside Store?
Onside is for users who want more choice in where they get iOS apps, without compromising on safety.
More apps and categories (including region-legal, age-gated content)
The Onside Store can offer apps and games you might not find elsewhere. This can include:
Popular titles and indie apps
New releases
Broader categories (for example: mature-audience apps, crypto, or gaming), where they are legally compliant and appropriately age-gated
Potential for different prices and offers
Onside gives developers more flexibility around distribution and monetization. In practice, that can translate into more competitive pricing and better offers on paid apps, in-app purchases, and subscriptions.
A familiar app store experience on iPhone (and iPad in the EU)
Use the Onside Store like any other iOS app marketplace:
Browse curated collections and trending apps
Search for apps by name or category
Open detailed app pages for screenshots, descriptions, and version information
In many cases, app pages also include reviews and ratings synced with the Apple App Store.
Security, privacy, and secure payments
Privacy-first approach: We minimize data collection and avoid collecting information that isn’t required to operate the Onside Store.
App review and checks: Apps in the Onside Store go through moderation and automated checks before we list them.
Secure checkout: Pay for apps, in-app items, and subscriptions using a credit/debit card or Apple Pay (with iDEAL, PayPal, and Klarna planned).
Updates: You can keep the Onside Store app and your installed apps up to date (automatic updates depend on your iOS settings).
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