Apple is reportedly working on laying the foundation for app sideloading on iPhones with the upcoming release of iOS 17. This move comes as a response to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandates significant tech companies to provide alternative app stores on their platforms, giving developers and users more options for app distribution and downloads.
According to a report from Bloomberg and other industry analysts, iPhone maker is trying to make changes to iOS and policies to support sideloading. It is also speculated that the same will be announced at WWDC 2023. While it remains uncertain whether sideloading will be fully implemented with the launch of iOS 17, Apple is making adjustments at the operating system level to enable this functionality in the future.
Last year DMA came into existence, requiring companies like Apple to open the gates of their platforms and services to third-party developers. This legislation could significantly change Apple’s privacy and security policies regarding App Store and other services. And that’s why it is speculated that Apple will support sideloading in iOS 17 to comply with new regulations in Europe.
It goes without saying that Apple doesn’t allow downloading apps and games from third-party app stores, and sideloading is against the company’s security and privacy policies. Apple executives have argued that allowing sideloading could jeopardize the security and privacy protection that iOS users enjoy. Sideloading could expose them to scams, ads, malware, and other potential risks. However, with the DMA in place, Apple risks fines of up to 20% of its global revenue if it fails to comply with EU laws.
In order to maintain some level of security, Apple may consider implementing a verification system for sideloaded apps, similar to what it uses on Mac computers. This system enables users to access apps outside the Mac App Store safely, and Apple could charge a fee for this verification process instead of collecting revenue from app sales.
In addition to sideloading updates, Apple is also expected to announce improvements to all its software, including iOS, tvOS, and macOS, at the WWDC event. These OS may receive incremental updates, and watchOS could undergo a significant design overhaul. The tech world eagerly awaits Apple’s rumored launch of its first virtual headset, a new OS, and a software development kit that would enable developers to create apps and tools for this headset.
However, it remains to be seen whether the sideloading in iOS 17 will be limited to European countries or for the global market. There are also rumors that the United States will likely introduce similar legislation. If this is true, Apple will likely make big changes in iOS 17 and iOS 18.