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

[nick_8908]

Next up Apple is going to charge for xcode more if you don't use the app store...
Would be perfectly legal since xcode has development costs attached.
Non xcode certified binaries still won't work on iOS, which is also perfectly legal to ensure privacy,
while complying to EU requirement.

 

[garranhado]

We will pay the 15-30% on new devices.

 

[SanderEvers]

Next up Apple is going to charge for xcode more if you don't use the app store...
Would be perfectly legal since xcode has development costs attached.
Non xcode certified binaries still won't work on iOS, which is also perfectly legal to ensure privacy,
while complying to EU requirement.

Actually Apple already charges for generating signed binaries that run on MacOS and i(Pad)OS. That costs $99/year. I do see that price increasing in the future.

 

[headlessmike]

The one issue I could see is one that also has plagued Android. Because side-loading is easier on Android, so is app piracy. This is one of the reasons why the App Store has long been seen as more profitable for app developers, despite the lower market share of iOS. There have been numerous examples of developers giving priority to iOS versions, or skipping Android entirely, because of piracy. I just hope that we don't lose good indie developers because of this change.

Other than that I think the choice is good.

 

[joecomo]

UTM will now be easy to install - great.
First they gave us USB-C now side loading: let us all thank our overlords in Brussel

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

This sideloading news is so played. Highly likely no one is going to take the security risk and go through the numerous checkpoints to use it. Also Apple will just make up the 15% through other platform usage fees fo those that do.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Calling it “sideloading” is already nothing but pure propaganda. It’s installing an app.

Sideloading is marketing a term coined by the company i-drive in the 1990s. It predates iPhones and macOS.

They tried to trademark it but didn't succeed.

 

[Liquid Galaxy]

People generally download fewer apps on a Mac compared to iOS. So the security risk is greater on a smartphone.

Joint Advisory On Malware Scams Affecting Android Users

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) would like to raise awareness about the increasing prevalence of malware scams affecting Android users. The purpose of this advisory is to highlight the increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by scammers to...

www.police.gov.sg

For the last few months, I have been getting reports of android smartphone users being tricked into downloading scam apps from sources like Facebook ads. You can laugh at them for being stupid and naive all you want. Point is, these are real people who have lost their life savings, and this particular vector of attack would not have been possible on iOS.

All this “Apple is in it solely for the money” rhetoric is disingenuous. I can understand people wanting to download apps otherwise unavailable in the App Store for whatever reason. At least be honest and admit that there are also downsides involved, and that there are legitimate advantages to the App Store being as locked down as it is.

Absolutely this^

The majority of iphone users are not geeks, and couldn't give a flying rats backside about 'sideloading' or 'installing' or whatever you want to call it, and probably wouldn't have a clue how to do it (or do it safely) anyway.

This absolutely puts the security and privacy of iOS at risk...I can just see the future headlines. As usual the EU makes more bad decisions.

 

[MacBH928]

how can I do this if I am not in eu?

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.

true but there are anti-trust laws, their enforce laws that break big company grips on the market. see standard oil.

 

[russell_314]

I think most of the people who are supporting this are doing so just because they think it’ll make android more competitive with iOS. I agree that it will but I don’t think having a government take away a main feature of iOS is a good idea

 

[Kissmo1980]

Do you often see headlines about that regarding Windows, OSX, Android, Linux and so? It certainly happens on those operating systems, but… it’s rarely major headline making news (unless it’s REALLY bad).

No I don’t see often and it’s because people are used to having issues on Windows and Android.
What was the reason to include Linux on this list?

When Apple related security issues happen, people and media love to make a drama out of it without full context.

It feels like there is a tone of irritation in your reply?
While I a super happy to be able to buy apps at least 30% cheaper, I try wrapping my head around the judgement of what makes people think that there won’t be many who make uninformed purchases.
And what is the connection of Windows and Android in this context?

The focus of my point was Apple.

 

[Ian Howlett]

A friend of mine recently had a virus on his Android phone that comprised his bank details and led to fraud on his account. Having seen that, I'd rather pay a bit extra to Apple and have a more secure system of app vetting. That's my personal preference though.

 

[WiiDSmoker]

You CAN install non Applestore software on MacOS so your view it's comparable with iOS side loading is laughable and just shows your lack of understanding.

That’s the point man. Read again.

 

[3304614]

What was the reason to include Linux on this list?

Because it’s an operating system and I was listing various operating systems. I don’t quite understand why you are asking, but that’s the reason. I was simply listing various operating systems.

It feels like there is a tone of irritation in your reply?

I don’t know why you feel that way, but… nope. No irritation.

 

[.wojtek]

I don't get why so many people are butthurt about it - it won't be mandatory but another way for those that don't want to use AppStore...

 

[amartinez1660]

20% of global revenue, what a joke.

I was thinking exactly this, “global revenue”… why not make it 40% or 60% while at it? Why not also per platform that doesn’t comply: iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, vision pro’s OS, for at least a whopping 200% of global revenue?

Heck it’s “for benefiting the consumer” right? I’m pretty sure all those collected cents will efficiently find their way back to each and every device user, none kept in politician’s pockets… none stuck in the bureaucracy.

Because there’s no motive, no incentive and no precedence for that!

But oh well, it’s their sovereign zone, can do whatever they want in there and the rest is free to react as they see fit.

 

[Marie.D]

Most of this data I believe is stored on device as part of Apple's "Privacy" efforts.

Isn't this data siloed on the device using Secure Enclave and sandboxes though? I don't see how a 3rd party app can escape their own sandbox and communicate with another one unless it exploits a vulnerability, but then that's no different than a jailbreak.

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.

Apart from a couple of exceptions, most apps you can sideload on Android still have their main distribution on the Play Store. That fictional scenario that people love to repeat ad nauseam just isn't happening, even right now, because in the end you still have a frictionless pipeline to your customers using the default store.

 

[ashdelacroix]

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

Brexit! Side loading what? Gippy little apps and viruses? These side loaders I'm sure will be pleased, but this will be of zero value to millions of people who will use the App Store because it is unified. Software developers who are on the App Store and also offer a side-loaded version should be kicked off the App Store. Also, Apple needs to reduce its 30% tax.

 

[deebinem]

You are rejecting freedom

Ok, calm down.

 

[ryan102]

Tbh maybe it's time for Apple to let it's users be responsible for themselves. If people want to go install apps from dodgy locations then so be it. Imagine Microsoft stopping people from downloading anything but MS Applications on PC's. Yes people get Virus's or their computers start acting shady but that mainly because of decisions the User made.

At the end of the day, the Apple App store will be there and people can download safe apps if they want but this change is coming whether people agree with it or not.

On a side note, is this only EU because the US seems to be getting a raw deal lately, first they lose the sim card tray and now won't even get this.

 

[crazytrain]

Should Apple get 30% of all the work I generate on a Mac too?

If the work you generate on your Mac is sold on Apple's App store and distributed to millions of potential customers then I think 'yes' that's a reasonable charge (and for most people its 15% not 30)

 

[aidler]

Although I have no plans to use this, I welcome this change and have always advocated for it. Choice is good…

 

[Carrotcruncher]

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

Utter tosh, you can already install third party apps using various means, stop fearmongering

 

[Macalicious2011]

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’.

Well said.

 

[SanderEvers]

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.

I don't want freedom on my phone. I want my phone to be a closed and secure system. Very simple, you don't give everyone keys to your house. I also don't want to give everyone keys to my phone. And that's basically what the EU is requireing here. They (the EU) wants keys to everyone's phones. Because that would make it very easy for them to undermine everyone's privacy and security.

Also it's not freedom what the EU is requesting. Because right now you have the freedom to chose between a closed secure system and an open less secure system (Android). In the future you won't have this choice. iOS would be exactly the same as Android because of this, only with a better UI.