iPhone App Sideloading Coming to Users in the EU in First Half of 2024

[MacRumors]

iPhone users in the EU next year will be able to download apps hosted outside of Apple's official App Store to comply with European regulations, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Otherwise known as sideloading, the change coming sometime in the first half of 2024 will allow customers to download apps without needing to use the App Store, which will mean developers won't need to pay Apple's 15 to 30 percent fees.

Writing in the latest subscriber edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman said Apple will introduce a "highly controlled system" that lets EU users install apps hosted elsewhere. Apple also will reportedly alter Messages and payment apps as part of the changes, likely via a localized iOS 17 update.

Gurman's update contradicts a recent report that suggested sideloading could arrive with Apple's iOS 17.2 software update, which is expected to be released next month. The report mistook as sideloading-related some new code that has to do with an upcoming framework for organizations to distribute apps to employees.

The European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which went into effect on November 1, 2022, requires "gatekeeper" companies to open up their services and platforms to other companies and developers.

The DMA will have a big impact on Apple's platforms, and it could result in Apple making major changes to the ‌App Store‌, Messages, FaceTime, Siri, and more.

Apple has claimed that sideloading will "undermine the privacy and security protections" that iPhone users rely on, leaving people vulnerable to malware, scams, data tracking, and other issues. Regardless of its stance, Apple must comply with the DMA or it risks fines of as much as 20 percent of its global revenue if the EU laws are violated.

In a December 2022 report, Gurman said Apple was considering implementing security requirements such as verification, a process that it could charge a fee for in lieu of collecting money from app sales. Apple has a verification system on Mac that allows users to be safe while giving them access to apps outside of the Mac App Store.

If other countries introduce similar legislation, alternate app stores could conceivably expand beyond the European Union. The United States, for example, is considering legislation that would require Apple to allow sideloading.


Article Link: iPhone App Sideloading Coming to Users in the EU in First Half of 2024

 

[iZac]

I wonder how this will be managed?

Through user account region or IP range allowlist or geolocation or something else? imagine if all I need to do is log in with an EU account or change to an EU VPN server!

 

[krspkbl]

About time! Thanks EU.

Hope it comes to the UK… lol

And for those who are about to wail and moan: don’t use it. Simple!

 

[Radin.Y]

Good for the people that can take advantage of it, but I don’t believe at the moment I have a need for it.

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

If this is done similar to how you become a “developer” on an Android phone, where you have to very consciously perform a set of actions, then I can at least see the sideloading working out.

I used to do that on Android to use games bought on Humble Bundle, for example.

 

[WiiDSmoker]

In before people scream and shout about security or how they won't use it while also praising Apple for MacOS.

 

[lenningj]

no thanks, had my fair share of java apps prior to android then android apks. Not looking to go through this if available. I'm sure there will be a big warning and opt in process for the user to be warned prior to sideloading

 

[krspkbl]

I wonder how this will be managed?

Through user account region or IP range allowlist or geolocation or something else? imagine if all I need to do is log in with an EU account or change to an EU VPN server!

Apple should just make it available to everyone!

 

[i_bit_the_apple]

If this is done similar to how you become a “developer” on an Android phone, where you have to very consciously perform a set of actions, then I can at least see the sideloading working out.

I used to do that on Android to use games bought on Humble Bundle, for example.

They will make you jump through a million hoops to enable it.

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

I hate how we’ve been tricked into using the word ‘sideloading’ which suggests it’s something dodgy and dangerous to do. In my day it was called ‘installing’.

 

[krspkbl]

People angry that Apple won’t make as much money. Poor Apple!

You are rejecting freedom just so a multi-trillion dollar company can make money.

This is a win for everyone unless you’re a hardcore fanboy or shareholder.

Android, Windows, and MacOS have “side loading” so it’s not as scary and dangerous as Apple would like you to believe. If you believe their lies then stay in your little walled garden safe space and Apple will hold your hand.

 

[LoveTo]

Just hoping Apple doesn’t punish everyone to pressurize them to abolish sideloading.

 

[Havoc035]

Just hoping Apple doesn’t punish everyone to pressurize them to abolish sideloading.

Oh trust me, Apple is going to do the absolute minimum required to comply with the legislation. It won’t be attractive for both customers and developers.

 

[krspkbl]

no thanks, had my fair share of java apps prior to android then android apks. Not looking to go through this if available. I'm sure there will be a big warning and opt in process for the user to be warned prior to sideloading

Obviously you weren’t downloading from trusted sources then. When I had an Android for 8+ years I side loaded all the time and never had an issue.

Just like anything if you don’t use common sense and download anything from anywhere then you’ll run into trouble. Download from trusted sources and you’ll be perfectly safe.

People have been doing it for years on Android, Windows, Linux, and MacOS. So why do people need their hand held with iOS??

Apple obviously doesn’t care about sideloading on MacOS but they do on iOS…I wonder why? Because they will lose money.

I hope people who are against sideloading also don’t have a Mac….

 

[Kissmo1980]

I wonder how many will install questionable apps and then blame Apple for data loss.You will see how many people will say that iPhones are no longer as secure.
I can already see the headlines in the manipulative media

 

[JordanCautious]

People keep comparing this to MacOS but don't seem to be smart enough to realize the data on your phone is significantly more sensitive than the data on your MacBook. Health, Payment, Accounts, contacts, etc. Most of this data I believe is stored on device as part of Apple's "Privacy" efforts. You know all those times Craig or Tim said "And it all stays on device so we can't see a thing!". That's what is at stake basically.

Lets not forget the whole reason this issue keeps coming up over and over again is due to the usual: Money

These massive corps don't want to pay Apple's tax because it's in the millions and sometimes billions.

It's not about freedom. It is literally a money play. I say that as both a Software Developer and happy Apple user.

And for people who will inevitably say "You don't have to use side loading if you don't want to!"...I find it hard to believe companies won't make whatever the third party App Store version of their iOS/iPadOS app cheaper than on the official App Store. It is quite literally inevitable since it gives them leeway to not be as scrutinized in Apple's privacy efforts 🙂

 

[mcscot]

And of course there will be a follow-on set of regulation to combat any privacy and security concerns that the EU controls, a bit like that crazy requirement to accept cookies every site visit..

 

[mjohansen]

Still only iOS? What about tvOS?

 

[ch1ptune]

In before people scream and shout about security or how they won't use it while also praising Apple for MacOS.

Guess that's not the point. macOS was born that way, iOS wasn't. While I love that macOS is open like that, I also find it super convenient that iOS is closed off, safe and protected by design. So I don't think it's necessarily hypocritical to make that argument as you're insinuating.

 

[miric]

About time! Thanks EU.

Hope it comes to the UK… lol

And for those who are about to wail and moan: don’t use it. Simple!

Barely. Say thanks to Brexit LOL 😝 BTW what is better — side loading or Brexit? 🤔

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

IpadOS too...right ?

 

[Paddle1]

People keep comparing this to MacOS but don't seem to be smart enough to realize the data on your phone is significantly more sensitive than the data on your MacBook. Health, Payment, Accounts, contacts, etc. Most of this data I believe is stored on device as part of Apple's "Privacy" efforts. You know all those times Craig or Tim said "And it all stays on device so we can't see a thing!". That's what is at stake basically.

Lets not forget the whole reason this issue keeps coming up over and over again is due to the usual: Money

These massive corps don't want to pay Apple's tax because it's in the millions and sometimes billions.

It's not about freedom. It is literally a money play. I say that as both a Software Developer and happy Apple user.

And for people who will inevitably say "You don't have to use side loading if you don't want to!"...I find it hard to believe companies won't make whatever the third party App Store version of their iOS/iPadOS app cheaper than on the official App Store. It is quite literally inevitable since it gives them leeway to not be as scrutinized in Apple's privacy efforts 🙂

Fortunately iOS is designed to sandbox and block apps from accessing things that either Apple or the user don't want an app to access, this shouldn't change with sideloading.

 

[Pakaku]

Can't wait to see how many catches there will be to this, just because Apple can't trust us to install an app

 

[threesixty360]

Obviously you weren’t downloading from trusted sources then. When I had an Android for 8+ years I side loaded all the time and never had an issue.

Just like anything if you don’t use common sense and download anything from anywhere then you’ll run into trouble. Download from trusted sources and you’ll be perfectly safe.

People have been doing it for years on Android, Windows, Linux, and MacOS. So why do people need their hand held with iOS??

Apple obviously doesn’t care about sideloading on MacOS but they do on iOS…I wonder why? Because they will lose money.

I hope people who are against sideloading also don’t have a Mac….

When your mac is the primary emergency calling device that you have with you at all times I will take your point on board.

Until then I will want every safe guard as is feasibly possible to make sure my phone is functional when I need it.

Mac and iPhone are very different devices with very different use cases and history.

 

[Jmausmuc]

iPhone users in the EU next year will be able to download apps hosted outside of Apple's official App Store to comply with European regulations, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Otherwise known as sideloading, the change coming sometime in the first half of 2024 will allow customers to download apps without needing to use the App Store, which will mean developers won't need to pay Apple's 15 to 30 percent fees.

Writing in the latest subscriber edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman said Apple will introduce a "highly controlled system" that lets EU users install apps hosted elsewhere. Apple also will reportedly alter Messages and payment apps as part of the changes, likely via a localized iOS 17 update.

Gurman's update contradicts a recent report that suggested sideloading could arrive with Apple's iOS 17.2 software update, which is expected to be released next month. The report mistook as sideloading-related some new code that has to do with an upcoming framework for organizations to distribute apps to employees.

The European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which went into effect on November 1, 2022, requires "gatekeeper" companies to open up their services and platforms to other companies and developers.

The DMA will have a big impact on Apple's platforms, and it could result in Apple making major changes to the ‌App Store‌, Messages, FaceTime, Siri, and more.

Apple has claimed that sideloading will "undermine the privacy and security protections" that iPhone users rely on, leaving people vulnerable to malware, scams, data tracking, and other issues. Regardless of its stance, Apple must comply with the DMA or it risks fines of as much as 20 percent of its global revenue if the EU laws are violated.

In a December 2022 report, Gurman said Apple was considering implementing security requirements such as verification, a process that it could charge a fee for in lieu of collecting money from app sales. Apple has a verification system on Mac that allows users to be safe while giving them access to apps outside of the Mac App Store.

If other countries introduce similar legislation, alternate app stores could conceivably expand beyond the European Union. The United States, for example, is considering legislation that would require Apple to allow sideloading.


Article Link: iPhone App Sideloading Coming to Users in the EU in First Half of 2024

I am a German. I don’t like the EU constantly telling private businesses what to do.

If people don’t like how apple handles this they should buy an android or whatever else or the EU can come up with their own phone (lol).

20% of global revenue, what a joke.