Apple is under some pressure in the European Union. Because Digital Services Act (DMA) antitrust legislation requires the company to allow users to install apps from outside the App Store to increase competition. Allegedly, iOS 17.2 gives clues that Apple is moving towards allowing users to install applications from outside the App Store.
PROOF OF ‘SIDELOADING’ IN iOS 17.2 BETA!
Because 9to5Mac claimed to have found evidence in iOS 17.2 beta code that the company is indeed moving towards enabling sideloading on iOS devices.
WHAT IS SIDELOADING?
For those who don’t know, sideloading involves installing applications obtained from third-party sources instead of an official source. When it comes to iOS, the official source (and the only source available for iPhone and iPad users) is the App Store. Apple has never allowed Sideloading on iOS because it would allow apps to bypass App Store rules. However, this may soon change due to the EU’s Digital Services Act.
WHEN CAN APPLE ALLOW SIDELOADING?
Reportedly, Apple theoretically needs to comply with DMA legislation by March 2024. It is also said that Apple may apply to the European Union to include the App Store in the Digital Markets Act, and will probably try everything to protect the App Store on iOS. But eventually, it looks like iOS 17 will be ready for sideloading.