Apple may let iPhones and iPads have alternative app stores to meet EU rules.

As a way to meet European Union rules, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) may soon let third-party app stores run on its famous iPhones and iPads.

Employees in both software engineering and services at Apple (AAPL) are said to be working to open up the company's platforms. This could let people download third-party software outside of the App Store and let companies avoid paying Apple (AAPL) commission rates of up to 30%.

Shares of several app-based companies, like Bumble (BMBL) and Match Group (MTCH), which own several dating apps, went up almost 2% and 8%, respectively, after the report came out. Spotify (SPOT), which is based in Sweden and has also complained about Apple's commission rates, saw its shares go up by 2.7% at midday.

As the market was about to close, Apple (AAPL) shares were slightly up.

Bloomberg says that Apple's (AAPL) vice president of software engineering, Andreas Wendker, is in charge of the changes. Apple's (AAPL) top engineering manager for services, Jeff Robbin, is also involved. Apple (AAPL) is also said to have talked about making third-party app stores meet certain safety requirements and charging a fee for checking the apps themselves.

Bloomberg said that Apple (AAPL) hasn't decided for sure if it will follow a part of the Digital Markets Act that would let developers add third-party payment options to their apps.

Apple (AAPL), based in Cupertino, California, may also let third-party apps use camera technology, near-field communications chips, and other features like iMessage, Messages, and its Find My network.

Seeking Alpha asked Apple (AAPL) for a comment, but they didn't answer right away.

The move would be a big change in Apple's (AAPL) policies and a big win for the European Union and developers. Many developers have complained that Apple (AAPL) and Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL), which also has its own app store, take commissions that are too high.

The move is probably a response to Europe's Digital Markets Act, which goes into effect in 2024 and could be changed in whole or in part by other countries. Bloomberg said that Apple's (AAPL) move is only meant to happen in Europe for now.

On Tuesday, Apple (AAPL) said that the Emergency SOS satellite feature on its iPhone 14 line would be available in more countries, including several in western Europe.