Cydia Files Appeal After Unofficial App Store's Lawsuit Against Apple Dismissed

The company's antitrust lawsuit against Apple was thrown out by the district judge.

The App Store is the only authorized marketplace where users can download apps on the iPhone and iPad, according to the lawsuit. The complaint accused Apple of trying to snuff out alternative app stores.

It was months before Apple's own App Store. The app allows users who "jailbreak" their iPhone or iPad to install apps outside of the App Store, as well as themes and tweaking that modify the look and function of the device. For example, before Apple introduced the Control Center on the iPhone, there was a tweak on the Cydia store that offered similar functions.

According to the lawsuit, Cydia was the "the App Store before the App Store" and the "first comprehensive solution" for expanding the iPhone's capabilities.

The owner of SaurikIT is one of the developers who have sued Apple for alleged anticompetitive behavior in relation to the App Store over the past few years.

Apple insists that the App Store is not a monopoly because it faces competition from the Play store. Apple has argued that third-party app stores on the iPhone could expose users to fraud and other dangers.