AppValley
 | |
| Developer(s) | AppValley LLC |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 2017 |
| Operating system | iOS |
| Type | App store |
| License | Proprietary (AppValley Web), AGPLv3 (AppValley Companion) |
| Website | app-valley |
AppValley is an independent American digital distribution service operated by AppValley LLC. It serves as an alternative app store for the iOS mobile operating system, which allows users to download applications that are not available on the App Store.[1][2]
History
The website was founded in May 2017,[3] releasing late that month with a very basic version of the app. There were less than 100 apps available for download at this time. On Jan 19, 2018, a new version dubbed AppValley 2.0 was released bringing dark mode, more categories, a search, and a much faster interface.[4] On February 14, 2019, a Chinese partner "Jason Wu" allegedly took control of the main Twitter account and domain,[5] causing the original AppValley developers to migrate to the domain app-valley
Features
AppValley is a mobile app installer which can also support ios version that can be installed and downloaded on the mobile or the devices of the people who wish to get access to many different applications available. AppValley also helps customers to be able to use just one platform to download mobile applications. AppValley also contains apps that have been modified or tweaked for user preferences, and allows the user to by pass national restrictions on the use of apps, without having to resort to jailbreaking. As of June 2, 2020, there are over 1300 apps available for download.
Controversies
In 2019, AppValley was along a number of softwares developed that violated enterprise developer certificates to distribute software directly to non-employees, thereby bypassing AppStore. AppValley's conduct had implications in U.S. sanctioned markets like Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela, which have all been subject to commercial sanctions.[8][9] AppValley's initiative helped those countries to have access to industrial property prohibited to those sanctions. In most of those countries, AppValley served as the only source of sanctioned apps.
There were allegations that AppValley have also been abusing enterprise developer certificates to distribute apps that offer pirated software, like Instagram, Spotify, Pokemon Go, and others. For instance, AppValley shares an ad-free version of the music streaming app Spotify even on the free tier.[10][11][12]
References
- ^ "AppValley apps not working & revoked, currently down for many users". DigiStatement. 2020-01-26. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
- ^ NatureWorldNews (2019-12-07). "How to Get Tweaked Apps using AppValley on iOS". Nature World News. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
- ^ "appvalley.vip whois". ICANN Lookup. Retrieved 2 Jun 2020.
- ^ @AppValley_vip (19 Jan 2018). "Release of AppValley 2.0" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 June 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ @Winner_Plenix (27 Jan 2020). "A Twitter User Talking About What Happened to the Original Account" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 June 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ @AppValleyRevokes (14 Feb 2019). "The Original AppValley Developer's Response" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 June 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Reporter, Staff (2019-12-10). "User Preference Mobile App Installer Is Now Available Here". Science Times. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
- ^ "Apple Suspends iOS Distribution Certificates of many Iranian app Developers". Patently Apple. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
- ^ "Hackers use Apple tech to put apps on iPhones". Khmer Times. 2019-02-14. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
- ^ "Software pirates use Apple tech to put hacked apps on iPhones". Reuters. 2019-02-14. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
- ^ "Software pirates hijack Apple tech and release rip-off iPhone apps". Sky News. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
- ^ "Pirates found a way to load paid apps on iPhones for free, and Apple could be losing money". CNBC. 2019-02-14. Retrieved 2020-03-24.