This year you can probably install apps on your iPhone and iPad without the App Store, but this will soon only be possible in Europe. We explain why.
Install apps without App Store from iOS 17
This year, iOS 17 is coming to your iPhone with the biggest update being the launch of alternative online App Stores. In iOS 17 it will then be possible to download apps that are not in the App Store, but come from another online App Store. This is also called ‘sideloading‘ named. At the moment it is almost only possible to install apps from the App Store.
Read also: iPhone will get a new App Store in 2024 (but not from Apple)
With this new way of downloading apps, app developers no longer have to hand over a percentage of their income to Apple. Normally, developers have to pay to get their apps on the App Store. But the new function to install apps without the App Store is only coming to Europe.
New European legislation forces Apple
Apple has to change the App Store policy because the European Union has passed a new law. As a result, large companies have to open up services and platforms to third parties. 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 the internet, which can then be downloaded onto iPhones and iPads. Apple does not earn money from these apps and developers do not have to give Apple money.
Downloading apps from the internet has advantages and disadvantages
Good news for (smaller) app developers, but what does this mean for you as a user? In any case, you will soon have the choice of many more apps than was the case until now. After all, Apple now determines which apps appear in the App Store and which apps you can download on your iPhone or iPad. This will no longer be the case, so you decide which apps you want to install.
Read also: New App Store prices: apps will soon be available for 10,000 euros
However, this is also where the danger lies, because due to the enormous increase in apps on the internet, there is little or no supervision anymore. Now you are pretty sure that the apps in the App Store are safe, but this will soon change with the arrival of sideloading. So be extra careful when you install an app from Safari, because Apple has not checked this software.
Only install apps without App Store in Europe
An American judge recently ruled in favor of Apple in a lawsuit over the App Store. Epic Games filed a lawsuit to get around the fees in the App Store, but this was not allowed, according to the judge. It therefore does not appear that it will soon be possible to download apps from the internet in the US.
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