In response to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple announced its latest measures on March 7th, allowing users to easily transfer data stored on iPhones or iCloud to other platforms. The company also stated that it will introduce new tools in the fall of next year.
Apple explained in its latest public documentation that it has implemented the promised “data portability” feature as of the end of January. The Apple Data and Privacy website now allows users to transfer usage records under their Apple accounts to other platforms through the Account Data Transfer API. Users can set to download App Store data for the past 30 days daily or 80 to 100 days weekly. However, third-party platforms must meet Apple’s minimum requirements to access and retrieve the data.
Apple plans to further enhance data portability tools. While there are already third-party data migration tools available in the market for transferring data between different operating systems (such as Google’s Switch to Android App), Apple is currently developing a solution that allows users to transfer data from iPhones to “non-Apple platforms.” The company has announced that this tool is expected to be released before the fall of 2025.
Apple also recently opened up iOS to allow more freedom for users to use alternative browsers, enabling iPhone users to choose a default browser other than Safari and use non-WebKit browser engines. In the latest documentation, Apple revealed that it is developing a browser switching solution that will enable users to export or import bookmarks and other browser data between Safari and third-party browsers. The expected release for this feature is late 2024 or early 2025.
Apple has not explicitly mentioned which data users can transfer, but according to Techcrunch, the data includes photos in iCloud, Apple applications such as Notes, Calendar, Contacts, Maps, Wallet, Mail, as well as Safari browser bookmarks and reading lists.
In addition to data portability, Apple also outlined its strengthened measures for user and developer data protection. This includes two aspects: firstly, Apple has terminated the use of App Store data in scenarios that violate DMA regulations, such as cross-app data streaming or personal data merging. Secondly, Apple has established new policies and approval mechanisms to ensure that personal data usage complies with DMA requirements. Apple has also enhanced its protection mechanisms to prevent the misuse of undisclosed personal data.
These are the latest DMA compliance measures following Apple’s announcement in late January, where they pledged to open up third-party app stores, third-party browser engines, third-party payment mechanisms, and reduce the App Store commission rates.
Despite Apple’s announcement to comply with the EU’s DMA, there have been contradictory actions this week. After game developer Epic Games announced last month that it would open an iOS game software marketplace, Apple suspended Epic Games’ developer account on the App Store this week. The European Union has expressed its intention to investigate this matter.