Apple has always been synonymous with software security, both for its MacBooks and for iPhones and iPads. This is thanks to its operating systems, designed to be clearly centered on the Apple infrastructure.
And it is also for this reason that i iOS devices, and iPhones in particular, have never allowed sideloading officially. When we talk about sideloadwe mean a very common practice on Android since its birth: essentially, it is the ability to download and install apps also from third party sourcesnot necessarily from the manufacturer’s official store.
This operation it is possible on Android since its debut. Over time, gods have been implemented security checks, precisely to avoid risks for users, but the functionality has remained available even for those who do not carry out modding operations. On the contrary, this is the case on Apple devices it was never possible.
But just like Apple had to give in on the implementation of the USB-Cthe home of Cupertino it should give way also on the sideloading aspect.
In fact, Europe is pushing for Apple to also open up the possibility of installing apps on iPhones from third-party sources, other than the company’s App Store.
This clearly represents one more possibility for users, who will be free to choose where to download their apps, but also an additional risk for Apple, given that opening up apps installed by third parties could introduce potential risks for the operating system.
The news is that in the latest beta of iOS 17 gods have been discovered references which really make you think about the possibility of sideloading apps. References have been found among the lines of code that will be there installation support and even to the update of apps from third-party sources.
Furthermore, references were found that also indicate the possibility of narrowing down to specific geographical areas sideloading apps on iOS. This makes sense if we think that at the moment only the European Unionthrough Digital Market Actis pushing this aspect.
In terms of timing, we expect official support for sideloading doesn’t arrive before 2024. We will obviously keep you updated on future developments.
9to5Mac
