The iOS ecosystem is a tightly integrated system of Apple devices, software, and services, ensuring security, privacy, and seamless functionality.
And the App Store is the only official way to distribute apps, with Apple enforcing strict review guidelines that reject apps containing malware, misleading content, policy violations, or bypassing Apple’s payment system. Adult apps are highly restricted—pornographic content, explicit chat apps, and NSFW games are banned, though dating apps and educational content may be allowed.
Some developers bypass these restrictions by using web apps (PWAs) instead of native iOS apps.
However, people in the European Union are not subject to these same restrictions.
This is why AltStore PAL exists as an alternative app marketplace that Apple is forced to approve. And this make way to the creation of 'Hot Tub'.
This can be traced back to Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which forced Apple to make changes to its business practices starting 2024.
In one of the biggest changes, Apple was forced to relax restrictions on its App Store, by allowing people in the 27-nation bloc to download iPhone apps from stores that it did not operate.
What this means, users in the region can install iOS apps to their iPhones and iPads from sources other than the App Store.
And here, AltStore PAL, which exists as an alternative app marketplace made possible under DMA, unveiled the Hot Tub app, which it described as an adult content browser.
Coincidentally, the app was introduced in the same year the iPhone is turning 18.
"iPhone turns 18 this year, which means it’s finally old enough for some more ~mature~ apps…," AltStore PAL wrote in a post on the Mastodon social media.
"Introducing Hot Tub by c1d3r, the world’s 1st Apple-approved porn app!"
The app markets itself as a native alternative to porn websites that protects users from ads, trackers, and spammy pop-ups.
And because it's an app and not some adult websites users can visit through web browsers, Hot Tub can tap on various iOS features, which make it capable of providing built-in search, gestures, customizable controls, and subscriber-only features, like advanced search, filtering, and categories across multiple networks.
Soon after the app is released, Apple took notice, and began showing its concerns.
The company took issue with how AltStore was marketing the release of Hot Tub as "Apple approved," given that alternative app store apps don’t go through its App Review process.
The company also pointed out that AltStore is backed by Epic Games, the Fortnite maker that sued Apple over antitrust issues.
A statement issued by Apple reads:
In a support document, Apple explains that apps on marketplaces other than the App Store still need to go through a Notarization process to meet "baseline platform integrity standards."
But still, it's up to the alternative app stores, and that they can still opt to publish unrated apps that may include things like pornography, drug and alcohol, weapons, hate speech, and more.
AltStore claims that the approval of the Hot Tub app is the first to go through the Notarization process to be approved for distribution on the iPhone. Despite the nature of the content, the company explained that the app didn't experience any issue in getting the app approved, though that’s likely because Apple has often used pornography as an example of the kind of app they now must allow under the DMA.
According to AltStore developer Riley Testut, his company plans to use the opportunity to donate its Patreon earnings to causes supporting sex workers and others.
"We feel this is necessary to fight back against recent harmful policies by politicians, Meta, and others, and we encourage everyone to help however you can," the AltStore’s account said.