AltStore PAL update brings social web features and Liquid Glass design

How does AltStore compete with the App Store on discovery? It turns out embracing the Fediverse may be the answer. The first big AltStore PAL update since May brings new social web features and Liquid Glass design.

AltStore is joining the Fediverse (which connects various open social platforms including Mastodon and Bluesky). That’s a fitting solution for bringing social web features and discovery to the alternative app marketplace.

The team behind the AltStore point to five features that come along with Fediverse adoption, now live today:

• Discover apps and sources from our new explore page https://explore.alt.store
• Developers can opt-in to have their sources federated to explore page
• View all likes on federated apps, app updates, and news items in-app
• Sign in with your Mastodon or Bluesky account to like items directly in-app
• Share links to federated items with others or view them in system browser

Back in December, AltStore PAL expanded from the EU to Japan following a regulatory opening that allowed competing app marketplaces on iPhone.

Today’s AltStore PAL 2.3 update, which introduces Fediverse features, also brings a “Japan-inspired” alternative app icon, and Liquid Glass UI.