If it is up to Facebook, you will soon be able to download apps for your iPhone directly from their own App Store. But do you want to?
Facebook wants to become an alternative App Store
When Apple has to allow App Stores from other parties, Facebook will be more than happy to respond. The popular social media app now shows all app advertisements, but to install an app you first have to go to the corresponding App Store on your iPhone or Android.
By being able to offer these apps immediately in their own App Store, Meta (Facebook’s parent company) believes that more people will download these apps. That means more money coming in at Facebook.
But there’s another reason Facebook is all too eager to become some sort of alternative App Store. Apple has recently added several features that make it more difficult for apps to track users.
Facebook’s revenue comes from advertising, which uses tracking data and cookies to show you targeted advertising. Facebook is losing a lot of revenue due to Apple’s changes. And of course they’re not too happy about that.
European Union forces Apple
It is thanks to the European Union that Facebook is even given the opportunity to open its own App Store with apps for the iPhone. Apple has to change the App Store policy, because the EU has passed a new law. As a result, large companies have to open up services and platforms to third parties. The new law will take effect sometime in the spring of 2024.
For years, criticism of Apple’s policy in the App Store has been increasing. The United States and the EU therefore launched an investigation a few years ago into Apple’s unfair competitive position.
As a result of this investigation, the European Union has determined that Apple must adjust its policy in order to create a fairer competitive position for app developers. These developers will soon be able to offer apps on sites such as Facebook, which can then be downloaded on iPhones and iPads via their own App Store.
Sideloading: When is it coming to iPhone?
Apple hasn’t officially said anything yet about allowing these alternative App Stores. It is likely that Apple will wait until the last minute to act according to the law (which will be sometime in early 2024). In addition, this comes sideload of apps probably only available in the EU.
The Disadvantages of Sideloading
Now you are pretty sure that the apps in the App Store are safe, but this will soon change with the advent of sideloading. So be extra careful if you can install an app from other apps such as Facebook, because Apple has not checked this software.
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