Recently Apple has been in the crossfire of the government regulations with the European Union that has been taking interest in the tech practices of Apple. The whole fuss is about the App Store and iOS, which have long held a policy preventing users from installing apps from sources other than Apple’s official store. But now, Apple is finally considering sideloading within the European Union, because of its new terms and regulations. Let me share more details about it, specially if iOS 17 will ever get sideloading, since it is next in line of the major release.
Last year Bloomberg reported some news that included Apple making a major change in iOS ecosystem and how it is going to operate. Soon after this news broke the internet, a new information surfaced where it was said that Apple has been exploring the possibility og allowing sideloading for the iOS devices.
What is sideloading?
Sideloading allows users to install application from outer sources other than the official App Store.It is a way to get files, like MP3s and apps, onto your mobile device without having to download them from the internet.Sideloading typically refers to media file transfer to a mobile device via USB, Bluetooth, WiFi, it also applies to the transfer of apps from web sources that are not approved by Apple or the company.
Will iOS 17 get sideloading?
According to sources, the sideloading project was under the purview of Andreas Wendker, a software engineer reporting directly to Craig Federighi, and Jeff Robbin, a top service manager at Apple reporting to Eddy Cue. However, as any Apple user knows, the company doesn’t take security lightly. Even with sideloading on the line, Apple intended to implement strict security requirements for software distributed outside of the App Store.
Bloomberg reported that Apple was planning to provide sideloading only in the European Union countries. The users were eagerly awaiting about the news of sideloading during WWDC 2023 event, however, the first iOS 17 beta was released without any mention of this feature. Apple’s silence on the matter left many scratching their heads and questioning whether iOS 17 will get sideloading or not.
During “The Talk Show,” a podcast hosted by John Gruber, where multiple Apple executives, including Craig Federighi, discussed their commitment to customer satisfaction. Federighi hinted at ongoing discussions with the EU, hinting that Apple was open to agree with European regulations. Hence suggesting that sideloading is possible in the neat future.
iOS 17 has not introduced sideloading, and Apple’s decision towards it remains unclear. We don’t know for sure that if iOS 17 will get sideloading or not. Even if it did have, EU would be the first country to get it. Mark Gurman, an Apple insider, previously indicated that these changes could align with European Union requirements set to take effect in 2024. But it’s worth noting that Apple has not officially confirmed these changes. We just have to wait and watch.
Gurman suggests that Apple might downplay the feature, burying it deep within the Settings app to discourage widespread use. Furthermore, geographical restrictions could be in place, making it nearly impossible for users outside of Europe to utilize sideloading on iOS 17.
Until next time, with another topic. Till then, Toodles.