A native pornography app for iOS has debuted in the European Union through the alternative app store AltStore PAL, enabled by the Digital Markets Act.
AltStore announced the launch of Hot Tub on Monday, an adult content aggregator that allows iOS users to search and stream videos from websites such as Pornhub, Xvideos, XNXX, and XHamster.
While iPhone users have long been able to access adult content via web browsers, the DMA now permits developers to distribute iOS and iPadOS apps through alternative marketplaces in the EU, bypassing Apple’s traditional App Store restrictions.
Alternative app store operators can set their own content policies, including allowing apps that violate Apple’s official guidelines. However, Apple still requires apps to pass a Notarization process to meet basic platform integrity standards.
The company has warned that these alternative stores may host unrated apps featuring content such as pornography, drugs, weapons, and hate speech.
AltStore claims that Hot Tub is the first app of its kind to pass Apple’s Notarization process for iOS distribution. Despite the nature of its content, AltStore encountered no issues obtaining approval, likely because Apple had previously cited pornography as an example of the types of apps it must now allow under the DMA.
The developer behind Hot Tub, known as c1d3r, has roots in the jailbreak community, which specializes in bypassing Apple’s security protections to install unauthorized apps. Hot Tub promotes itself as a native alternative to adult websites, offering users protection from ads, trackers, and intrusive pop-ups. It also includes built-in search, gesture controls, and subscriber-only features such as advanced filtering and cross-network content categories.
AltStore developer Riley Testut announced that throughout February, the company will donate its Patreon earnings to organizations supporting sex workers and LGBTQ+ rights, including The Trevor Project and the Red Umbrella Fund.
