Availability in non-German App Stores

[inforsgit]

I was excited to download the app this morning, thanks for the great work in getting it ready!

However, I notice that it is only downloadable from the German App Store. For a very large number of people living in Germany their phones are signed into a different nation’s App Store and this current approach could limit uptake.

Is it possible to make the app available in other app stores?

[ckaik]

I don't think this is possible unless Apple specifically allows them to release the App in other App Stores, too. As far as I know Apple and Google said they'll only allow one app per Country App Store (with possible exceptions).

[inforsgit]

I don't think this is possible unless Apple specifically allows them to release the App in other App Stores, too. As far as I know Apple and Google said they'll only allow one app per Country App Store (with possible exceptions).

I’m aware of that statement but I don’t know how it translates into availability of national apps in different app stores. Perhaps one of the devs can comment, or someone that knows about app releases for Apple?

[SebastianWolf-SAP]

Dear colleagues,

we will clarify this issue with the Robert Koch Institute. They are the official entity that released the app in the respective app stores.

We will keep you updated as soon as we know more.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen/Best regards, SW Corona Warn-App Open Source Team

[jonjardine]

Agreed. If you have any subscriptions active it's impossible to switch between AppStore countries. I use the UK Store and can't change this. It will prevent asking all visitors to Germany (especially from higher current incidence countries, e.g. UK) to download and use the app.

[DaGaMs]

I can confirm that switching between Apple accounts from different countries is a huge pain. I'm still locked to my UK account, but would like to use the German tracker app while in Germany. It's hard to believe Apple would block the apps in other app stores - please keep us posted on what the RKI says.

[n0rdlicht]

Italian and Swiss Apps based on the same framework are available in other countries for some weeks now, hence shouldn’t be an issue with Apple and Google.

The reality is, that people have Apple IDs/Google Accounts based on their first signup and never change, e.g. for above reasons and many others. People live in different countries throughout their lives and move around. For longer or shorter periods of time. Also: people live and work in different countries around border areas.

[antranapp]

I don't think this is possible unless Apple specifically allows them to release the App in other App Stores, too. As far as I know Apple and Google said they'll only allow one app per Country App Store (with possible exceptions).

I assume this policy means that only one developer in a country has the ability to request the Exposure Entitlement from Apple but it doesn't prevent you to release the app in multiple stores.

[jonjardine]

I don't think this is possible unless Apple specifically allows them to release the App in other App Stores, too. As far as I know Apple and Google said they'll only allow one app per Country App Store (with possible exceptions).

I assume this policy means that only one developer in a country has the ability to request the Exposure Entitlement from Apple but it doesn't prevent you to release the app in multiple stores.

Agreed. It seems a shame that what looks like a good, conscientious, open-source based project has been failed by management decisions. Surely use cases explored would include tourists visiting Germany and people travelling across borders for work / leisure etc.

Just offering the app in the German stores seems like an incredibly blinkered decision.

[securitygeneration]

Yeah this is certainly a limitation that could hamper adoption, particularly in the more international or touristy cities. At the moment when travelers arrive in Germany, they are asked for contact details and contact tracers follow up shortly after to check in and see if they have developed any symptoms. I can imagine that they may want to invite travelers to install this app instead which would simplify things.

I’m in a similar situation (along with a number of my colleagues), live in Germany but stuck on another App Store.

[ckaik]

I don't think this is possible unless Apple specifically allows them to release the App in other App Stores, too. As far as I know Apple and Google said they'll only allow one app per Country App Store (with possible exceptions).

I assume this policy means that only one developer in a country has the ability to request the Exposure Entitlement from Apple but it doesn't prevent you to release the app in multiple stores.

Hopefully! I fully agree that it doesn't make sense for the app to only be available to Users of the German App Store, it should be available for everyone visiting/living in Germany, regardless of App Store used.

[charlesvestal]

While it’s possible to have apps installed from multiple accounts on one device (Log out and back in in to country B in Settings, install app, log out and back in to country A) - it requires multiple email addresses, and a technical understanding of how App Store accounts work that may be too high a bar for a casual user. Would love for all users to have easy, unhindered access to this in all app stores where possible, especially given the high quality English localization that has been built.

[securitygeneration]

Indeed. It’s bad enough an EU-wide app wasn’t developed, it would be a shame to shoot adoption in the foot by making it impossible (or setting the bar too high) for a portion of the population and visitors to install.

[jonjardine]

While it’s possible to have apps installed from multiple accounts on one device (Log out and back in in to country B in Settings, install app, log out and back in to country A) - it requires multiple email addresses, and a technical understanding of how App Store accounts work that may be too high a bar for a casual user. Would love for all users to have easy, unhindered access to this in all app stores where possible, especially given the high quality English localization that has been built.

This is impossible if you have subscriptions on iOS, e.g. Apple Music. You have to cancel all subscriptions first, then switch stores. I doubt anyone will be willing to do this.

(assuming you want to keep the same account rather than sign-in with a new one, which casual users won't do)

[alneven]

While it’s possible to have apps installed from multiple accounts on one device (Log out and back in in to country B in Settings, install app, log out and back in to country A) - it requires multiple email addresses

that's how I'm using the local apps in Germany, as my primary AppStore/iTunes account is from my country "of origin". For updates you have to do the same. But everything else is working.

And my subscriptions are from my primary country. Never changed. It's working.

[D-32]

I've come across this problem with other apps too and it's frustrating to see this happening here too. Mostly the people that upload an app to the App Store are unaware of what consequences it has to restrict an app to a specific region. If you never moved to a different country, you don't know how frustrating this whole process is.

It's anyway not a 100% restriction, anybody can create a new iTunes account and circumvent that. But even if you do that, as soon as you switch accounts Apple Music resets all your downloaded music 🙄

So please just make it available fo all regions.

[inforsgit]

Indeed...the multiple accounts workaround is possible (that's what I'm using).

I think that before we pile on the devs too much, we should wait on @SebastianWolf-SAP to get more information from RKI as he promised. Never associate to malice what could be explained by simply overlooking something...I'm very appreciative that they at least engage with us :)

[jonjardine]

Indeed...the multiple accounts workaround is possible (that's what I'm using).

I think that before we pile on the devs too much, we should wait on @SebastianWolf-SAP to get more information from RKI as he promised. Never associate to malice what could be explained by simply overlooking something...I'm very appreciative that they at least engage with us :)

Absolutely, not attacking the devs themselves, its a management snafu if anything :)

[monkeydom]

I can confirm that I installed the Italian 'Immuni' App from the US App Store to test the functionality. So the one app per country rule is not enforced in this way. Please adjust.

[holtwick]

Also the Latvian app is available in the German app store and can even live side by side with the German app. Even though only one app is able to track the actual data. A common solution for the European Union would be awesome 👍

https://www.apturicovid.lv/

[ivojuniorx4]

I am in a similar situation, however im on the Brazilian Apple Store. I can’t download it without leaving my family group/all my subscriptions.

[kennethmac2000]

I don't think this is possible unless Apple specifically allows them to release the App in other App Stores, too. As far as I know Apple and Google said they'll only allow one app per Country App Store (with possible exceptions).

What they said is that only one "Entitlement Profile" is available per country: https://developer.apple.com/contact/request/download/Exposure_Notification_Addendum.pdf

Ie, only one entity per country is allowed to produce a contact-tracing app which uses the Exposure Notification APIs.

That has nothing to do with the distribution of the app though.

This isn't only about residents of Germany using different countries' App Stores, but also visitors. Surely Germany actively wants visitors to use its app when on the German federal territory? I don't think coronavirus checks whether you are a resident of the country you're currently in. :)

[NicolaiKilian]

100% agree! I moved from Switzerland to Germany a couple of years ago, still work in Switzerland, and my iOS is still locked to the Swiss AppStore. I tried to switch the AppStore in the past, but it needed a German credit card, which I don't have.

[amandadebler]

I’d love to be a responsible permanent resident and install this app, but I really have no interest in potentially losing access to my bank accounts back in the US by switching over to the German App Store when, things being how they are, I’m unlikely to be able to make a short visit home anytime soon.

Is there a way to compile it ourselves and install it using XCode, or will only the officially-signed version in the App Store work properly?

[jonjardine]

@amandadebler I suspect only the officially-signed version will work properly, but hopefully the people up the food chain at the RKI will see sense and release it worldwide :)

[alneven]

I’d love to be a responsible permanent resident and install this app, but I really have no interest in potentially losing access to my bank accounts back in the US by switching over to the German App Store when, things being how they are, I’m unlikely to be able to make a short visit home anytime soon.

It's easy. Just register a 2nd itunes/appstore/apple account with a different email (you can for example use a gmail alias if that is your primary email) and it could be also an account without BANKING information (if you don't have any in Germany!). You can download the free apps with that. As mentioned earlier just logout with Account A, login with Account B, download the app, and log back with Account A. You won't loose anything. I have 3 Apple logins, for 3 country I'm interested in. One is my primary. With all my subscriptions, etc. But there are 2 others, also with paid apps and free apps. One has a credit card information, one doesn't have any payment information (I have that only for free apps, which not available in my region!).

If you create a new login for Germany you could also use another local apps, like the one from dm/Drogerie Markt (https://www.dm.de/) with the coupons ;-) or local parking apps if you have a car. ;-)

[dewey]

@alneven Multiple Accounts is not a solution and also not a good workaround. Logging out of your account messes up a bunch of things (Like deleting all your offline music from Apple Music) and other things.

Also for most people creating multiple accounts is a huge hassle, exactly what you don’t want for an app that you already have to convince people to use and where the usefulness of the app depends on as many people as possible using it.

[alneven]

Multiple Accounts is not a solution and also not a good workaround. Logging out of your account messes up a bunch of things (Like deleting all your offline music from Apple Music) and other things.

the Logout is only from the AppStore application, not under Settings (!) it's like to switch accounts in Twitter or Instagram

the main Apple ID/Icloud/Itunes account is not changed

but I understand your concerns, the app should be available in every appstore (if it's even possible?) because who should decide in which one it should be presented, there are so many nations in Germany ;-)

and it could be that Apple music is not in sync with that, as they are "purchases" it's not easy :-D

[2color]

About 13% of people living in Germany are foreigners (source).

It's difficult enough to get people to use this app. I think everything should be done to remove this barrier.

~If I understand correctly, this is due to Apple's restrictions.~ Nevertheless, the message should be relayed that this is a matter of life and death.

Corrections: So there's no restriction on publishing the app to multiple countries. But if you have multiple tracking apps –like in the case of @holtwick– you can only have one of them active.

[jonjardine]

About 13% of people living in Germany are foreigners (source).

It's difficult enough to get people to use this app. I think everything should be done to remove this barrier.

If I understand correctly, this is due to Apple's restrictions. Nevertheless, the message should be relayed that this is a matter of life and death.

It's not an Apple restriction. See @holtwick above (https://github.com/corona-warn-app/cwa-app-ios/issues/623#issuecomment-644716432) - Apple only permit one authority per country, not one app per store country.

[dewey]

About 13% of people living in Germany are foreigners (source).

It's difficult enough to get people to use this app. I think everything should be done to remove this barrier.

If I understand correctly, this is due to Apple's restrictions. Nevertheless, the message should be relayed that this is a matter of life and death.

It's already taken care of, we just have to wait now: https://github.com/corona-warn-app/cwa-app-ios/issues/623#issuecomment-644545651

[Gernot]

It's a bunch of checkboxes in AppStore Connect. As far as I know, those have nothing to do with the Entitlement to use the ExposureNotification Framework, that should be completely separate. If RKI decides to check the checkboxes for availability in other countries, no review is required and it should go live there within the hour.

[kennethmac2000]

About 13% of people living in Germany are foreigners (source). It's difficult enough to get people to use this app. I think everything should be done to remove this barrier. If I understand correctly, this is due to Apple's restrictions. Nevertheless, the message should be relayed that this is a matter of life and death.

It's already taken care of, we just have to wait now: #623 (comment)

Is it actually taken care of though?

As @Gernot has said, it's a bunch of checkboxes in App Store Connect. In fact, it's probably easier to publish in every App Store globally than to publish only in one country - you have to go out of your way to do that.

Given the seriousness of this, it's a little hard to understand why RKI couldn't already have made a decision yesterday to fix this. What is even the debate?

[jonjardine]

Given the seriousness of this, it's a little hard to understand why RKI couldn't already have made a decision yesterday to fix this. What is even the debate?

Agreed. I'd hoped they'd have sorted this out by now as my view is its a pretty bad decision if it was deliberate.

[bmulholland]

The bigger concern at this point is that the big PR push about the app is nearly over. When the app finally /is/ available to be downloaded by people on other app stores, how will everyone know to try again? It's not like everyone will get a notification, and the newspapers etc won't publish a story of "hey, try downloading the app again." This actually makes the topic quite urgent: the longer it takes, the more it hurts adoption, which directly challenges the goals of the project.

[vab9]

Dear colleagues,

we will clarify this issue with the Robert Koch Institute. They are the official entity that released the app in the respective app stores.

We will keep you updated as soon as we know more.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen/Best regards, SW Corona Warn-App Open Source Team

Glad to hear you're already working on this issue. I agree with @bmulholland that this is an urgent matter. Let's hope it gets resolved quickly!

[edouardlauer]

This problem about the app being only available on the german app store whether it is IOS or Android should be resolved quickly. When I hear the statement 'The best corona app in the world!' I've to LOL because only those on the german app store can download it. Clearly the politicians have dismissed to ask for an app that is available worldwide which would have made more sense. We're EU, Schengen, Open-Borders. No, we're still in the middle-age and Corona has shown this very clearly. I've also the problem with the app being only available in the German store. I'm a luxembourgisch person living in Germany.

[BETEP-ok]

Can not support this issue more.

Using my Russian apple account for almost 10 years and have to stick to that as it is also major account for my family group. Apple policy about local stores limitations with not possibility to side load local apps (like in this corona warn app case) just drives me crazy every time... !!!!

[christhomas]

Something I've been puzzled by, is that why it matters which app you install since the app doesn't use location and therefore any application, as long as you can read it, should be able to use the API and provide the required information since all it does is track proximity to other Bluetooth devices and all of this is handled by the phone software developed at a global level.

I understand why each country is restricted to one app because you have to name the health service of that country in order to be responsible for testing and making sure the testing is compatible with the technology on the phone.

But since the tech works in a global fashion across all phones, then shouldn't all countries have identical testing methods and use the same TAN/QR system for verification, etc, etc.

Then why does it matter what country I'm in? Does anybody know why?

[kallovsky]

Could we get an update on this issue @SebastianWolf-SAP? If it is really taking weeks to solve it, then I would go for the workaround and open a German account.

However, this is an important issue and should be solved asap!

[sonicalchemy]

This shouldn’t be a question. This is a legitimate issue for all of us non German residence. I want to install the app to protect my kids and I and I cannot. Retail as an priority issue and not a question. Please take this seriously as I and many others are at risk because of bad planning and to be told it is a question and not a legitimate issues is a bit condescending.

[charlesvestal]

As this isn’t an issue with the app code itself and the maintainers of this repo don’t appear to have direct control over this issue, perhaps we should also communicate with the App’s own Technical Hotline at +49 800 7540001

or RKI directly at

coronawarnapp@rki.de / +49 30 18754 5100

[muescha]

I think that’s the telekom hotline with 1-day trained call agent working bees - I guess no one with technical expertise. I am Sure your complains are forwarded to /dev/null

[saschaholesch]

I tried the hotline before I thought of checking here. Indeed the problem was either not understood by the person talking to me or simply ignored. I expect the first. Using a German App Store account is just not possible for many of us.

I think the developers working on the application might have the best chances to get heard. I am surprised we don't hear more in the media about this large group of people being locked out of participating with the app -- as a result of an obviously conscious decision of the RKI.

[alneven]

Maybe it was fixed in the meantime?! Check the comment from Adel

[dewey]

Can't find it in the Austrian store, I only see Corona Warn Apps from a lot of other countries.

[kbobrowski]

for anyone who want to track whether it was fixed or where the app is available right now (it's for checking if the app is available in Play Store, but I guess it will be fixed at the same time as availability in App Store):

• open incognito tab (in case you are logged in with Google account right now)
• go to https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.rki.coronawarnapp&gl=DE
• change last two letters of above link to another country (e.g. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.rki.coronawarnapp&gl=FR)
• if install button disappears then it means that app is not available in this country

[muescha]

@alneven where i can find the source of the screenshot?

[mhaid]

for anyone who want to track whether it was fixed or where the app is available right now (it's for checking if the app is available in Play Store, but I guess it will be fixed at the same time as availability in App Store):

* open incognito tab (in case you are logged in with Google account right now)

* go to https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.rki.coronawarnapp&gl=DE

* change last two letters of above link to another country
  (e.g. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.rki.coronawarnapp&gl=FR)

* if install button disappears then it means that app is not available in this country

Correct, you can also check the availability of the app in the AppStore via a similar principle:

• German AppStore: https://apps.apple.com/de/app/corona-warn-app/id1512595757
• Austrian AppStore: https://apps.apple.com/at/app/corona-warn-app/id1512595757
• UK AppStore: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/corona-warn-app/id1512595757

If the website tries to open iTunes, it's not available:

Right now the app is not yet available in other countries AppStores (as far as I checked). Not sure if it works on an Apple OS as well, just tried it on Windows.

Prove of concept for the above methode with the App NINA:

• German AppStore: https://apps.apple.com/de/app/nina/id949360949
• Austrian AppStore: https://apps.apple.com/at/app/nina/id949360949
• UK AppStore: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/nina/id949360949

[sonicalchemy]

for anyone who want to track whether it was fixed or where the app is available right now (it's for checking if the app is available in Play Store, but I guess it will be fixed at the same time as availability in App Store):

• open incognito tab (in case you are logged in with Google account right now)
• go to https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.rki.coronawarnapp&gl=DE
• change last two letters of above link to another country (e.g. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.rki.coronawarnapp&gl=FR)
• if install button disappears then it means that app is not available in this country

Still not on Apple US. Apple seems slower with the roll out.

[dewey]

@sonicalchemy It's not an Apple Problem. It's Robert Koch Institute problem, they have to click some buttons.