Apple has clarified its stance on third-party app stores, and the news isn’t great for those who frequently travel outside the European Union. According to an updated support page released on Thursday, iPhones will lose the ability to update software from non-Apple app stores if they remain outside the EU for more than 30 days.

The new policy comes hot on the heels of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which went into effect on Wednesday. The legislation aims to promote competition and consumer choice by requiring Apple to allow alternative app stores and sideloading on its devices within the European Economic Area.

While early reports suggested that users would “lose access to some features” when leaving the EU for short-term travel, Apple has now specified a 30-day grace period. After that window, iPhones will be unable to fetch updates for apps installed from third-party sources until they return to the EU.

This move could prove inconvenient for frequent international travelers, business professionals, and others who spend extended periods outside the EU. Even a month-long overseas trip could potentially leave them stuck with outdated app versions from alternative marketplaces until their return.

It’s important to note that the new policy doesn’t prevent the use of third-party app stores altogether. Users can still manage and run apps they’ve already installed from these sources while traveling. However, they’ll be unable to download the latest updates until they’re back within the EU’s borders.

Several developers are already gearing up to launch their own app stores in the wake of the DMA, including the enterprise-focused Mobivention and MacPaw’s Setapp store. However, it remains to be seen whether Epic Games will be able to proceed with its planned game store, as Apple has revoked the company’s developer license, citing it as “verifiably untrustworthy.”

Apple’s availability update:

To reflect the Digital Markets Act’s changes, users in the European Union are able to install alternative app marketplaces and install apps offered through alternative app marketplaces in iOS 17.4 or later. The country or region of your Apple ID must be set to one of the countries or regions of the European Union, and you must physically be located in the European Union.

Your device eligibility for alternative app marketplaces is determined using on-device processing with only an indicator of eligibility sent to Apple. To preserve your privacy, Apple does not collect your device’s location.

If you leave the European Union, you can continue to open and use apps that you previously installed from alternative app marketplaces. Alternative app marketplaces can continue updating those apps for up to 30 days after you leave the European Union, and you can continue using alternative app marketplaces to manage previously installed apps. However, you must be in the European Union to install alternative app marketplaces and new apps from alternative app marketplaces