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Apple has long maintained strict control over copyright compliance, which is why torrent client applications are typically banned from distribution on the Apple App Store. However, under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple has been compelled to allow developers to distribute apps through alternative stores within the EU.
Currently, several torrent clients—such as iTorrent and qBitControl—are available via the AltStore PAL alternative marketplace. Yet, as of July 2025, iTorrent has ceased to function properly.
According to the developer, Apple revoked the app’s alternative distribution rights. While Apple cannot directly control AltStore PAL, it does exercise authority through the notarization process, which grants or denies certification for apps. iTorrent’s failure stems from the cancellation of its notarization.
Apple requires that all apps distributed through alternative stores or sideloaded installations undergo notarization. This process involves baseline checks to ensure that apps are free of known malware, viruses, and other threats, while also verifying that they function as promised.
In this case, however, iTorrent’s notarization was revoked without explanation. The developer stated that Apple provided no reasoning at the time of revocation and, when pressed for clarification, offered only vague responses before claiming that “support was being upgraded” to investigate the issue.
AltStore PAL has also formally requested clarification from Apple, but received only the same response: the matter is “under investigation” without substantive detail. Notably, other torrent clients remain available for download, installation, and use without issue—indicating that Apple has not yet moved to impose a blanket ban on torrent applications.
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