I still wish to sell to users of iOS.

Apple has conveniently, for them, set themselves up as an unwanted middleman.

This is only possible for them to do because they make billions per quarter and I’m a struggling solo developer.

I can’t believe people are defending apple.

Companies can't simply do that.

In fact, you will have a guarantee of failure if e.g. your messaging app doesn't support iOS

Google is also listening though. They are slowly introducing similar restrictions after seeing what absurdity Apple gets away with as "compliance" of needing to also allow anyone to offer software for iOS. Our mistake is thinking it's fine that apple believers get vendor lock-in because there is still Google and Android lets you run whatever code you want. Yeah, until it doesn't

Why do you want huge companies to be allowed so much control?

What is it about letting them restrict what people can do in order to squeeze even more money out of them and other companies that appeals to you so much?

Where do you think this should stop?

Should my wifi router be allowed to only work with some brands of phone or laptop?

Should my mobile service provider be allowed to ask for a percentage of any payment I use over their connection?

Should my car by allowed to refuse to park if the owner of the car park doesn't share ticket revenue with its manufacturer?

If not, why not?

Personally, I choose to believe that just like some things cannot legally be agreed to contractually (even if they're in the contract and you sign it), some business models should also be unacceptable to society. That includes any situation where by owning a platform, media property, or content/service delivery technology or provider, a company wants to force itself as a middleman between any two parties.