It only took Apple 17 years to make the Apple App Store website an actual app store.
For users deep in the Apple ecosystem, the App Store is second nature — the central hub for apps, games, and updates. Yet until now, visiting apps.apple.com didn’t bring you to a real store. Instead, it was just an informational landing page.
That changes in 2025, as the Apple App Store website officially becomes a fully functional browser version of Apple’s digital marketplace.
Apple App Store Website Brings the App Store to Your Browser
This update transforms how people can explore apps online. The browser App Store lets users browse and discover software for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV — all without opening a device app.
A dropdown on the left allows users to select their hardware platform, while a search bar and categorized navigation mimic the native App Store experience. Each listing includes screenshots, descriptions, and user reviews. To download, users simply click the “Open in App Store” button, which launches the app’s page on their device.
Why Apple Took 17 Years to Build a Web-Based App Store
When the first App Store launched in 2008, it reshaped the tech industry. But strangely, Apple never offered a proper web-based App Store. The reasoning was simple: every Apple device already came with the native App Store preinstalled.
Still, in a world where platforms like Google Play, Steam, and Epic Games Store all offer browser experiences, Apple’s delay feels unusual. This new Apple App Store website finally brings parity — and convenience — to users who want to browse apps from non-Apple devices or share links more easily.
How the Apple App Store Website Improves App Discovery
The launch may seem minor, but its impact is notable. The App Store in browser makes app exploration easier for users who want to discover new tools before installing them.
It also signals a subtle shift in Apple’s approach to accessibility and transparency. By bringing its marketplace to the open web, Apple is extending its ecosystem’s reach beyond its own hardware for the first time.
After nearly two decades, the Apple App Store website finally feels like what it always should have been — an actual app store.
Read also
Join our Facebook community for the latest updates