Setapp Mobile, one of the earliest alternative app stores launched in the European Union, is set to shut down in early 2026. The service was introduced after new EU rules allowed third-party app marketplaces on iOS. The app offers a subscription-based way to access multiple apps outside Apple’s App Store.
Setapp has confirmed on its support page that Setapp Mobile will sunset on February 16, 2026. The company says the business terms for operating an alternative app store are still evolving and too complex to align with Setapp’s current business model.
After this date, all apps available through Setapp Mobile will be removed from the platform. Users will no longer be able to access these apps using the service.
Setapp is also warning users to prepare in advance. Anyone who used apps through Setapp Mobile should transfer their data before the shutdown. Once the service ends, that data will no longer be accessible.
While Setapp does not directly blame Apple, the announcement raises questions about how open iOS really is. Running an alternative app store still comes with strict rules, technical limits, and financial uncertainty. For a subscription-based service like Setapp, these conditions may simply make long-term sustainability difficult.
There is also speculation that user adoption played a role. Many iPhone users remain comfortable with the official App Store, and convincing them to install and trust a third-party store is not easy. Without large-scale adoption, maintaining a separate marketplace becomes harder over time.
Setapp Mobile was seen as a real test of whether alternative app stores could survive on iOS in the EU. Its shutdown suggests that regulatory changes alone may not be enough. Smaller players may struggle unless the rules become simpler or more balanced.
