Sideloading iOS Apps No Longer Possible on M1 Macs

[MacRumors]

Apple this week implemented a server side blocking mechanism to prevent M1 Mac owners from sideloading iOS apps that have not been made available on the Mac by iOS app developers.

Image via 9to5Mac​

As noted by 9to5Mac, it is no longer possible to use third-party apps like iMazing to obtain an app .ipa file to install it on an M1 Mac, a workaround that has been available since M1 Macs launched.

Attempting to sideload an app using the previously working method now results in an error that says "This application cannot be installed because the developer did not intend for it to run on this platform."

App developers have the option to make their iPhone and iPad apps available on M1 Macs, but they can also choose not to do so. Popular apps like Netflix, Hulu, Instagram, and others have opted not to make their iOS apps available on M1 Macs and it was previously possible to install and use them with apps like iMazing or Apple Configurator 2, but that has ended.

The only iPhone and iPad apps that can be installed on M1 Macs are those that developers have expressly flagged and greenlit for use on Macs. Sideloaded apps already up and running can still be used, as this only affects new app installations. The same goes for previously downloaded .ipa files.

Apple has disabled the sideloading app feature on M1 Macs running macOS Big Sur 11.1 and the macOS Big Sur 11.2 beta.

Article Link: Sideloading iOS Apps No Longer Possible on M1 Macs

 

[Protocol41]

Did you really think you owned your Apple hardware?

 

[farewelwilliams]

OH NO, this app that's optimized for touch can't be sideloaded on this mouse-first operating system that can install native apps from outside the app store. What are we going to do?!

 

[OceanMindedBoy]

Apple being Apple. All of a sudden old macs become gems.

 

[hansmoleman]

Well this sucks. One of the things I loved most about the M1 Mini. It's been fantastic - absolutely no reason I see to gimp it up this way.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Apple being Apple. All of a sudden old macs become gems.

Good luck sideloading iPad apps on those 👍

 

[Marbles1]

Haha. That’s so Apple. That’s the way isn’t heading isn’t it? Apple will decide what you can and cannot run.

 

[Stromos]

How else are you going to buy the exact same App twice? Complete BS if you ask me. Well the only logical response is to bombard Apple/Developers to allow them. Make enough noise they have to do something.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Cultured Code will be sighing relief.

Now there's no choice but to spend £50 on their Mac App Things, which conveniently is identical to their £10 iOS app.

 

[jrlcopy]

There is a logical reason behind this, where macros and spamming apps is significantly easier when you are on a desktop. Having said that, I was sideloading apps because it was super nice to be able to use that real keyboard and type type type. But oh well.

 

[OCDMacGeek]

I have 11.1 and the apps I previously side-loaded still work. (Unless this just hasn't kicked in for me yet.)

 

[ArPe]

Did you really think you owned your Apple hardware?

You own your hardware. But software since the 70s has always had a license agreement that you agree not to pirate or use software that hasn’t been distributed according to official agreements. That goes for whether you buy software in a physical store or online.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Did you really think you owned your Apple hardware?

You own your M1. That doesn't mean Apple doesn't have a right to control how you use the OS on the M1.

If you want a 'anything goes' software world, Apple isn't for you.

 

[Maconplasma]

Apple being Apple. All of a sudden old macs become gems.

MR being MR. Instantly trashing Apple thinking they are doing it just to be mean when there's always a reason behind a decision that will no doubt come out in MR front page news in the coming weeks.

 

[AppleFeller]

Yah I fully applaud this, unless a dev has explicitly determined they want their app running on MacOS then it shouldn't saves them pointless troubleshooting for something being used in a way not intended at all. Be patient and let the apps that want to come to MacOS.

 

[phantom13]

OH NO, this app that's optimized for touch can't be sideloaded on this mouse-first operating system that can install native apps from outside the app store. What are we going to do?!

Doesn’t hurt to have the option.

 

[FreeWoRLD83]

Honestly, the experience was far from what you'd expect from Apple so I say right on

 

[Seoras]

Did you really think you owned your Apple hardware?

You own the hardware. You do not own the software, you only license it.

Feel free to wipe your hardware and put whatever you like on it.

I write Apps for a living. To be able to make a living I need to make sure my software is keeping me and my family fed.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Doesn’t hurt to have the option.

certain options benefit the overall experience. this option doesn't. it can generate confusion.

 

[needsomecoffee]

And so it begins.

 

[edk99]

Haha. That’s so Apple. That’s the way isn’t heading isn’t it? Apple will decide what you can and cannot run.

Nope you have it wrong. It is the developer of the app that has decided that they don't want it to run on M1 Macs. Apple is just enforcing what the developer wants.

 

[phantom13]

certain options benefit the overall experience. this option doesn't. it can generate confusion.

Anyone who is sideloading apps isn’t going to be confused by that.

 

[AppleFeller]

If a dev hasn't explicitly put their app on the Mac AppStore then no you shouldn't be able to just run it per their own intentions.

 

[Apple_Robert]

And so it begins.

Begins what exactly?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Yah I fully applaud this, unless a dev has explicitly determined they want their app running on MacOS then it shouldn't saves them pointless troubleshooting for something being used in a way not intended at all. Be patient and let the apps that want to come to MacOS.

Not to mention people where getting free use from using apps in a manner not intended, which can affect the developers income ability.