The days are numbered for Apple's exclusivity for its iOS platform to download apps only from its App Store, as it is expected that it will soon allow sideloading but only for the EU nations. For the longest time, Apple has held out against installing third-party apps on iPhones and iPads, yet the European Union's Digital Markets Act challenges this policy by the company.
Since it is only the EU that upheld this against Apple, this sideloading would only be initially available to the member countries of the organization.
Apple Sideloading iOS Apps is Coming for EU Users
James Yarema from Unsplash
A report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman now speculates on the upcoming massive changes for the iPhones and iPads, as the EU's DMA is finally catching app to allow sideloading for iOS. However, it is important to note that this will only take into account the nations under the EU organization, and this means that it would only arrive for users under this jurisdiction.
Based on the report, this change would arrive "in the coming weeks," with Apple looking to comply with the legislation passed last year. Moreover, it was said that Apple will create two versions of the App Store, one optimized for the EU's sideloading, and the other for the regions with exclusivity.
While there is a certain level of exclusivity for the EU to allow sideloading apps to the iOS, there are also other disputes in the likes of the US and UK that center on these changes.
The Digital Markets Act has long centered on the fight against antitrust, with Apple's App Store known for being one of the top entities that it targeted, with its exclusivity and notorious commission rates.
It was added by Bloomberg that third-party apps would also be allowed to use third-party payment channels or platforms.
Apple's App Store and its Sideloading
Since Apple offered its App Store, all that iPhone and iPad users may install on their devices are from that platform, and it has been this way as the company argues that it is safer. In several statements made by the Cupertino giant, they said that downloading outside of the App Store is dangerous and may bring malware to users.
The only other way to bring third-party apps from different developers into the iPhone is via the infamous jailbreak, and this too is something that Cupertino considers to be a danger for the device and user.
However, this is not the same conversation with Google's Android as it allows sideloading, and its Play Store has a feature called 'Play Protect' that will help verify the software and check if it brings threats to users.
The EU's DMA long fought against the antitrust issue against Apple, and this legislation is now the key to allowing third-party apps to make their way to iOS and user's devices. While there are no formal announcements yet from Apple and the EU, the reports now claim that it is expecting that Cupertino will soon allow sideloading for iOS in the coming weeks, to allow developers outside the App Store to offer their apps.
