AltStore PAL Becomes First App Store to Join the Fediverse

AltStore PAL, the alternative iOS marketplace born from regulatory shifts in the European Union and Japan, is expanding its reach into the decentralized web. The company officially announced on Wednesday that it is adopting the ActivityPub protocol, marking a milestone as the first federated app marketplace.

By launching its own Mastodon server, AltStore PAL aims to bridge the gap between app distribution and open social networking. The integration allows developers to broadcast news, version updates, and critical alerts directly to users across the fediverse—a network of interoperable servers that includes platforms like Mastodon, Threads, and PeerTube.

The functionality is designed to streamline how users interact with their installed software. Instead of relying solely on traditional push notifications or in-app checks, users can follow specific app sources via their preferred social accounts. As co-founder Riley Testut noted during the company’s Series A announcement last fall, this allows users to see app updates directly within their existing social timelines.

Beyond external feeds, the AltStore PAL application itself is being updated to reflect this social layer. Users can sign in using their Mastodon or Bluesky credentials to engage with content directly inside the marketplace, including liking updates and receiving news alerts.

Marketplace Ecosystem and Future Growth

Several applications are participating in the rollout, including:

• Loops: A video platform built for the fediverse.
• PeerTube: A decentralized alternative to video-sharing sites.
• iPhanpy: A dedicated Mastodon client developed by Matt Fantinel.

While the initial list is focused on indie projects, larger developers are holding off on joining the federated marketplace. These entities are currently waiting for Apple to finalize changes to its European commission structure, specifically the shift from the Core Technology Fee to the Core Technology Commission, to mitigate potential payment liability issues.

Alongside this integration, the AltStore PAL app has received a design overhaul, featuring the iOS 26 Liquid Glass aesthetic. Users can explore the new federated environment via explore.alt.store or follow the official server at fosstodon.org/@altstore.