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For the start, sideloading apps on iPhones has been impossible. Apple designed a way to block all apps not installed from the AppStore from existing on their products. According to them, this restriction improves the security of iPhones and other Apple products.
This action is in sharp contrast to what is attainable on Android devices. Users of Android devices can install apps to their devices from sources other than the Play Store. These apps then undergo security checks from the device’s system before being permitted to exist with other apps.
Over the past few years, some users of Apple products have spoken up about this app sideloading restriction. But Apple has been able to hold its ground and prevent sideloading up until this point, possibly. Multiple sources have come out to make claims that the coming iOS 17 upgrade will permit app sideloading.
Apple might come under pressure and allow sideloading apps on iPhones with their new operating system upgrade
The European Union back in November 2022 kicked off its Digital Markets Act, which put companies like Apple under pressure. This act was put in place to ensure open markets across the board (business users and consumers). It is set to go into full effect by May this year, which is just a few weeks away.
This act will force Apple to allow sideloading apps from different sources on their devices. Some Apple product users will find this quite interesting, as they would be able to access some apps that Android users have always had access to. Such apps for sideloading are available on platforms like APK Mirror as well as the websites of app developers.
Details of the sideloading apps on iPhones were made available by the folks at Bloomberg in a recent Power On post. The WWDC 2023 event will bring official details regarding this switch in Apple’s stance regarding app sideloading. For now, the company seems to be working hard to “overhaul the software to open up the iPhone to sideloading.”
The iOS 17 upgrade will also pack some more features that you can check out here. But this app sideloading issue is not the only change the European Union will force Apple to make. The tech giant will also switch to using USB-C ports on all their devices, hence moving away from lighting ports.