IPhone User May Soon Be Able To Sideload Apps

Yes, it’s true, even if it’s something most people never thought possible. Sideloading of applications on the iPhone and iPad will become a reality as early as 2023. According to news from Bloomberg, the EU has adopted a new legislation. This would require Apple to allow users to sideload apps. And also allow third-party app stores to work on iPhones and iPads.

This may come as a good news for many iPhone and iPad users. As they can finally have more control over their Apple devices. Users may finally be able to download apps without using their Apple IDs or jailbreaking their iPhone.

App developers on the other hand may even find this news more enticing. This is because they can now develop apps for Apple products. Without paying Apple’s fees of 15 to 30 percent.

iPhone users in Europe may be the first to sideload apps

However, this may not be the case for everyone, as well as the region. Since the law was adopted by the European Union. Apple only plans to start with the European market. At least for now.

Apple may only extend this to other regions if the countries in those regions enact similar legislation.

For example, the United States is also considering legislation that would require Apple to allow sideloading of applications on the iPhone. If this comes to fruition, Apple will have no choice but to allow sideloading in the United States as well.

Apple said it is not safe to download apps on iPhone

Apple has said on multiple occasions that sideloading apps on the iPhone would undermine the security and privacy protections that iPhone users rely on. The company also stressed that iPhone users could become vulnerable to scams, malware, data tracking and other issues.

The European Union’s digital market law entered into force on 1 November 2022. This requires gatekeepers to open up their services and platforms to other companies and developers.

This new legislation will have a major impact on Apple’s platforms. This will require the company to make many changes. These changes may affect the App Store, Siri, FaceTime, iMessage etc. Apple has until March 6, 2024 to comply with this new EU law.

According to a Bloomberg report, Apple’s software engineering and services employees have already started work. They are working to open key elements of Apple platforms. It will definitely require a chunk of resources from Apple.

iOS 17 may allow users to download apps to their iPhone

Apple plans to implement this functionality in 2023. Sources claim that the new functionality will come with an iOS 17 update. That would put Apple ahead of the 2024 deadline. Some employees also expressed their opinion to Bloomberg. They said that this new update may have an impact on new iOS features that may come with the iOS 17.

There is another aspect of the digital market law. This requires Apple to allow developers to install third-party payment systems within tbier apps. However, Apple has not decided whether it will comply with the law or not. Apple is also confused about how to make the messaging app available to third-party services. This is because the DMA requires interoperability between messaging platforms.

Apple may want to do away with this new law. But the EU is pretty strict on its rules and Apple doesn’t want to break such rules. The EU can find any company that accounts for 20 percent of its global revenue. If that company refuses to abide by its rules. This means that Apple can either decide to abide by the rules. Or risk paying a fine as high as $80 billion. And we all know it won’t even end there.

As you may have heard. The European Union also passed a law requiring all Apple devices to use USB-C ports. It is also coming in 2023.