Apple has revamped its app store policies in the European Union with hopes of fending off escalating fines under the 27-nation bloc's digital competition regulations. It's a last-minute bid by the iPhone maker to avoid further charges following a 500 million euro ($585 million) penalty in April.

A last-minute rule change lets European iPhone owners download apps from rival stores and developer websites, while introducing new fees that Apple hopes will satisfy regulators in Brussels.

Apple has reworked the terms and conditions for developers that use its highly lucrative App Store in the European Union in a bid to avoid racking up more fines under the EU’s digital antitrust law.