Upcoming EU Sideloading Bill Would 'Cripple the Privacy and Security Protections' iPhone Users Expect, Says Apple

[icanhazmac]

Doubtful that would happen.

LOL, because every app is available in the Mac store as well as via other stores.

Devs will pull their apps to either:

1) Go it alone and have all traffic point to their store or their store of choice forcing users to have accounts on those stores and provide payment information to "unknown" processors.
2) Get paid by alt stores, like Epic wants, because they have been paid an exclusive fee.

I wish that the Mac platform operated like the iOS platform does! Single source goodness for apps, updates, payments and customer service!

 

[AlexESP]

Naive thinking is the great issue of our times. If someone really thinks a sideloading toggle hidden in a secret menu with warning messages is going to stop uninformed users from doing it, they just have to look at pirated movies, consoles, IAP in free apps… all that done a million times by kids and old people. It’s really sad that the EU wants to apply its narrow focused politician ideas to every complex technological issue.

 

[DanTheMan827]

If this were a bad sit-com Apple would just go full in and make an "iPhone E" model that doesn't support iCloud or the App Store at all and only allows sideloading, runs a variant iOS that only that device supports and force people to agree to a ToS that tells them basically, "don't come complaining to us when something weird happens to your phone, it's sold as-is. Contact the developer. Enjoy!"

Or just make an iPhone that runs android and sell it only in the EU for the same price as a real iPhone and call it the "iPhone EU."

An iPhone with Android wouldn't be an iPhone.

Although, I would really enjoy if they offered the ability to unlock the bootloader on iPhones if someone wanted to dabble with another OS like they already can on their Mac (and literally every other personal computer)

 

[ihatethisfreakinplace]

I assume the same requirements will also apply to Xbox, Switch and PlayStation?

There's a few things wrong with this argument. Despite Apple's attempts to sway opinions otherwise, the iPhone and iPad are both general purpose computers. These are not specialized devices that are meant for specific functions. These are devices that are designed to run a whole variety of apps that can do everything from your online banking to using LiDAR to scan and create 3D models. These are every bit as much of a general purpose computer as a Windows PC or a Mac. Apple can't even use that argument with the iPad seeing as how they advertise it as a laptop/computer replacement.

When it comes to game consoles, the argument fails for different reasons. Sure you can buy your games from their own stores. But if a game is too expensive for your liking on the eShop, Xbox Store, or Playstation Store? Go check Best Buy, Walmart, Target, GameStop, Amazon, local game stores, pawn shops, I've even seen games in CVS, Walgreens, Big Lots, and Bass Pro Shops. The point is, if you want a game on a console, you have dozens of ways of acquiring said game. If I want an app on my iPhone, I only have one place to get it. And, again, game consoles ARE in fact devices designed for just a couple of tasks. They are not general purpose computers...

.. Except Microsoft DOES allow "side loading" on the Xbox. For a small one time fee you can join the developer program and side load any UWP app you like.

I have an M1 iPad Pro that is insanely fast. Same for my iPhone 13 Pro Max. The hardware is incredible. But the restrictions Apple imposes are maddening. There's no reason for it. Especially now that Macs run on the same hardware. It's purely software restriction by Apple to protect their profits. I bought and paid for my hardware, I should be able to do as I see fit with it as long as it is not illegal or harmful to others.

 

[DanTheMan827]

LOL, because every app is available in the Mac store as well as via other stores.

The difference is that the Mac App Store came after people were already used to "sideloading".

iOS has always had the App Store, so there's no reason to think people would all of a sudden change their habits.

Even the Windows Store is gaining traction, and many developers are starting to release software on it.

 

[AlexESP]

Doubtful that would happen.

If an app is only available because of sideloading, it likely was never allowed in the App Store to begin with.

No company would give up the exposure that the App Store offers, they would almost certainly stay on it even if they do release a more capable version outside of it.

When you’re a bank with millions of customers, of course people are going to download your app from your webpage.

 

[I7guy]

My opinions aligns with apples opinion. This legislation would turn the iOS ecosystem into a cesspool.

 

[jz0309]

Apple should give its customers more credit. Nobody is forcing anyone to sideload. I sure as hell won't, except for maybe a couple of video game system emulators.

You are assuming that the average user will understand what they are doing, BIG assumption… I can see Facebook offering features only through their “store” and people will just click…

 

[WiseAJ]

Time for Apple to make like Britain and exit the EU

 

[mabhatter]

Then Apple can adjust their terms to actually compete in the market instead of monopolizing it.

Apple competes just fine and voters pull out their wallets to support the iOS platform. Apple processes like 60% of every mobile dollar spent that's tracked. Apple provides a lucrative service for developers... developers just don't want to pay Apple their share.

App Revenue Data (2025)

App Revenue Key StatisticsMobile Ad SpendApp and Game RevenuesiOS App and Game RevenueGoogle Play App and Game RevenueGaming App RevenuesiOS Gaming App RevenueGoogle Play Gaming App RevenueApp RevenuesiOS App RevenueGoogle Play App RevenueApp Revenue by RegionSubscription App RevenueiOS...

www.businessofapps.com

Expect Apple to seriously change their model. No more free XCode, no more free signing keys, all that stuff will be super expensive per instance/patch/hosting/device support/etc the same as console makers like Nintendo.

 

[I7guy]

if you don't want to sideload, don't. no one is forcing you to sideload. others don't have the same opinion as you.

If you want to side load buy android and vote with your $$$.

 

[jz0309]

My opinions aligns with apples opinion. This legislation would turn the iOS ecosystem into a cesspool.

Agreed… into the PC/Windows world where the first thing you do is install antivirus SW

 

[DanTheMan827]

My opinions aligns with apples opinion. This legislation would turn the iOS ecosystem into a cesspool.

Sideloading didn't turn Android into a cesspool, the Google Play Store did that on its own.

 

[jz0309]

Then Apple can adjust their terms to actually compete in the market instead of monopolizing it.

How does Apple monopolize the market???

 

[Amazing Iceman]

I'm glad to see this being forced. I understand its NOT good business sense for Apple as it will just mean more support calls and lost profits for them but as far as innovation goes and being able to use the device you bought the way you want then its the way to go. I'm sure there are plenty of ways it could be done to not hinder privacy or security until you even decide to go the route of sideloading anyway so it should at least be a choice we can make.

It will mean: "Hello Piracy", malware, etc.
Not good at all. Those fat butts have no idea of what the consequences are going to be.

 

[DanTheMan827]

If you want to side load buy android and vote with your $$$.

Sure, because someone will give up iMessage, Apple Pay, and all of the other iOS exclusive features in addition to having to re-purchase who knows how many apps just to get sideloading...

"Just switch to Android" isn't a realistic option, and it's a tired argument.

 

[vtrautia]

It is kind of crazy that can't make app in iOS or Android without paying 30% Google or Apple tax. These ecosystem must be opened to 3rd party apps like Mac OS and Windows. Security is not an issue in Mac OS and Windows despite side loading.

 

[DanTheMan827]

How does Apple monopolize the market???

They're the sole source for iOS App distribution, even of their competitors apps, and they demand a 15-30% cut off the top of everything that goes through the App Store.

 

[vipergts2207]

The innocent victims in all this will be us AAPL shareholders. If governments continue interfering with Apple’s world-leading services business, it will really make it difficult to drive the never-ending growth we need in revenues and profit.

Oh no, you poor shareholders, lmao!

 

[DanTheMan827]

Agreed… into the PC/Windows world where the first thing you do is install antivirus SW

I haven't installed an antivirus since Windows 7 and I haven't gotten a single piece of malware

 

[Matti_]

Developers will require sideloading if you want their app. If you need the app (your job requires it for example), you're pretty much forced to sideload.

And that's the problem we have right now. If you want their App you are forced to use the App Store. You are pretty mich forced to use it because there is no other option on the iPhone

 

[redbill2]

How to tell if a Government regulation may actually be beneficial to the masses: if the tech giants vocally oppose it.

 

[Joey-San]

I'm totally against side loading, why should this be enforced? I understand the Monopoly argument but android has a bigger share then apple so how can this be used as an argument. I see a lot of people saying give the consumers a choice and this choice is already here and it's called android, no one is forcing them to use iOS. More importantly we forget that most people who visit this site are tech savy but you forget about the average Joe's (or below average Joe's). Some will download lets say a calculator app that is malicious and have no idea, but a link sent them there so they thought it was safe. Another example is lets say your browsing on your phone and it says "malware detected, download the latest antivirus app" some people will actually download the app that may very well be malicious. I mean I don't get the purpose of this and this is coming from a person who has jailbroken and rooted phones in the past. People also forget how this can hit Apples reputation. If an app was downloaded millions of times and was malicious the news/competitors could use this to target apple, but hey that is just one man's opinion.

 

[jz0309]

They're the sole source for iOS App distribution, even of their competitors apps, and they demand a 15-30% cut off the top of everything that goes through the App Store.

That is NOT a monopoly, YOU do not have to buy any Apple product…

 

[Channan]

Easy to say right now, but that falls down when most major apps decide to leave the app store to avoid the fee to Apple. Then you'll only be able to get small-time games and utilities from the app store, and if you want any real functionality you'll have to sideload because all the major publishers only put their apps out that way.

It would be pretty silly for major developers to pull their apps from the App Store. More likely you’ll see higher prices in the App Store and a cheaper option to download directly from the developer.