Apple is rumored to have come up with something quite impressive: app sideloading! According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the tech giant based in Cupertino plans (for the first time!) to allow iPhone users to download apps stored outside its official App Store. Only the thought of that sounds unbelievable, isn’t it?! And the app sideloading support could start with iOS 17, which is kind of soon.
What is sideloading anyway, and how could that improve our user experience?
By enabling sideloading, often known as downloading programs outside of the App Store, developers would no longer be required to pay Apple’s 15 to 30 percent fees for doing so. So, much like Android allows on its devices. But could this be safe enough?! Well, if it’s about the law, it has to be.
As of November 1, 2022, “gatekeeper” businesses must make their platforms and services available to other businesses and developers under the DMA, aka the European Union’s Digital Markets Act. Apple may make significant adjustments to the App Store, Siri, Messages, FaceTime, and other services as a result of that. And the worst part is the thing we all know fear. Everything that’ll soon apply could have a significant influence on the company’s platforms.
According to Apple, sideloading will “undermine the privacy and security protections” that all iPhone users depend on, making them more susceptible to viruses, data monitoring, and other problems (ouch!). But, as the law must be obliged, the tech giant has to adhere to the DMA. If that’s not going to happen, it might face fines equal to up to 20% of its annual global turnover for breaking EU legislation.
When’s the change going to happen?
Based on Gurman’s statement, by the end of the year, Apple will have sideloading support in place to abide by the new European standards.
If you’re a Mac user, you should know that you can actually browse programs outside of the Mac App Store while being safe, thanks to Apple’s authentication mechanism for Mac. So, I guess we’ll be waiting for such a thing on iPhones, too!